The government has decided to extend the capping of the commercial margin for basic food products until June 30, 2026. The decision comes in the context of price pressures and aims to protect purchasing power, according to a statement from the Executive.
Specifically, capping involves limiting the margin to a maximum of 20% for processors and stores, and to 5% throughout the distribution chain, rules that remain unchanged.
The approved regulatory act amends and supplements Emergency Ordinance no. 67/2023, through which the mechanism for limiting commercial margins was introduced.
Authorities say that the measure is necessary to control price increases for essential products and to ensure the population's access to basic foods "at fair prices."
Barbu: The state must intervene when the market becomes unbalanced
The Minister of Agriculture, Florin Barbu, justified the extension of the capping by the need to correct market dysfunctions.
"We are extending this measure because the state has the obligation to intervene when imbalances occur in the market that directly affect Romanians. We cannot accept that basic products become inaccessible due to commercial practices that do not reflect the reality of costs in the agri-food chain," he said.
He added that capping remains "a necessary tool" to maintain balance between farmers, processors, and retailers.
"Capping the commercial margin remains a necessary tool to correct these deviations and ensure a fair balance between farmers, processors, and retailers. At the same time, it is a clear signal that we support Romanian production and protect consumers, not speculation," the minister further stated.
The list of products remains the same
The measure continues to apply to the same list of basic food products, without changes. Among these are:
- plain white bread
- consumption milk
- feta cheese
- yogurt
- flour and cornmeal
- eggs
- sunflower oil
- chicken and pork meat
- bulk vegetables and fruits
- potatoes
- sugar
- sour cream and butter
- fruit preserves
The government emphasizes that capping commercial margins remains a temporary measure, aimed at combating excessive price increases and stabilizing the food market.