Russia to prepare measures to stabilise domestic food prices after criticism by Putin

Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said on Thursday Russia would prepare measures to stabilise domestic food prices, a day after President Vladimir Putin criticised officials and market players over rising prices for bread, flour, sugar and sunflower oil. "We must take concrete measures to effectively hold the prices of products which are important for people - in line with instructions of the head of state," Mishustin told a government meeting, describing it as "unacceptable in the context of declining incomes".

Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said on Thursday Russia would prepare measures to stabilise domestic food prices, a day after President Vladimir Putin criticised officials and market players over rising prices for bread, flour, sugar and sunflower oil.

"We must take concrete measures to effectively hold the prices of products which are important for people - in line with instructions of the head of state," Mishustin told a government meeting, describing it as "unacceptable in the context of declining incomes". Mishustin did elaborate on what measures could be taken, but he said they would be in addition to the already taken decision to increase an export tax on sunflower seeds from January. Russia is one of the world's largest exporters of wheat.