Фото: t.me/kgk_oficial
Belarus’s State Control Committee (KGK) has reported a decline in the share of Belarusian goods in retail sales and failure to meet the targets set for 2025. The issue of increasing sales of domestically produced goods was discussed at a meeting of the committee’s board today.
The 2021–2025 Programme of Socioeconomic Development envisaged increasing the share of Belarusian goods in retail turnover to 63%, and that of food products to 85%. Neither target was met. According to the KGK, the share of domestic products in sales has been declining in recent years, including in categories where Belarusian manufacturers are capable of meeting all demand.
The committee noted that agreements between the Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade and retail chains and manufacturers had produced no tangible results. Last year, none of the largest retailers met the target for the share of Belarusian goods in their sales.
“Belarusian products are often available in stores in an insufficient range and are placed on lower shelves or in locations that are inconvenient for shoppers. Retail chains ignore the Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade’s recommendations on giving domestic products priority in product displays,” the KGK said.
In addition, domestic manufacturers have failed to establish mutually beneficial cooperation with online marketplaces. These platforms sell predominantly imported goods, the committee noted.
The KGK also reported numerous violations at discount stores selling imported goods. These included cases involving the sale of substandard products, goods without proof of purchase and items without labels.
“The growth in sales is also held back by manufacturers’ own lack of initiative in promoting their products. Cases have been identified in which orders from retail chains were not fulfilled. Popular models are being discontinued. There is no systematic marketing activity, and cooperation with small retailers remains underdeveloped,” the press release said.
The KGK said that its financial investigations authorities would continue to identify and prevent crimes in the retail sector. It pledged that anyone involved in causing significant harm to state interests would face an assessment of their actions under criminal law.