Starting from October 1, 2025, staple foods such as bread, milk, eggs, meat, sugar, or fresh vegetables will be able to be sold at freely set prices by traders, after the Government decided not to extend the commercial margin capping introduced in 2023.
According to Emergency Ordinance 67/2023, the capping of the commercial margin applies until September 30, 2025.
During the application period, the maximum margin practiced by processors was limited to 20% of the production cost, that of the distribution chain to 5%, and that practiced by retailers at retail to 20%.
So, here are the foods that will become more expensive starting from October 1, 2025, after the commercial margin capping is removed:
- Cow's milk (1 l, 1.5% fat, excluding UHT)
- Bulk cow telemea cheese
- Plain yogurt from cow's milk (max. 200 g, 3.5% fat)
- White wheat flour "000" (max. 1 kg)
- Cornmeal (max. 1 kg)
- Chicken eggs, size M
- Sunflower oil (max. 2 l)
- Fresh chicken meat (whole chicken, cuts, thighs, wings)
- Fresh pork meat (thighs, shoulder, working meat)
- Bulk fresh vegetables (tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, peppers, carrots, beans, garlic)
- Bulk fresh fruits (apples, plums, pears, table grapes)
- Bulk fresh white potatoes
- White granulated sugar (max. 1 kg)
- Sour cream (12% fat)
- Butter (max. 250 g)
- Tomato paste (max. 350 g)
Temporary measure, extended multiple times
The capping was introduced in July 2023 and was periodically extended, last time at the beginning of July 2025, for another three months.
"We proposed and approved in the Government the extension of capping the commercial margin for staple foods until September 30, 2025, to protect the purchasing power of Romanians with low and medium incomes," explained the Agriculture Minister at that time, Florin Barbu.
Grindeanu calls for ANAF inspections
In the context of ending the capping, Sorin Grindeanu, the interim president of the PSD, warned that some traders had already started raising prices, speculating on discussions about abandoning the measure.
"The measure of capping the commercial margin for staple foods was a correct decision, which contributed to lowering inflation and protecting the purchasing power of Romanians with low and medium incomes (...). There are suspicions that some traders have already increased prices, ignoring legal provisions, to justify a possible non-extension of this measure from October 1," Grindeanu wrote on Facebook.
He requested ANAF to verify if the margins respected the 20% caps for processors and retailers and 5% on the distribution chain.
"The results of these inspections must be included in a report that should be urgently presented to the governing coalition," emphasized the PSD leader.
Nearly 10% Inflation and Higher Taxes
Price liberalization comes at a time when the pressure on consumers is already high. According to the INS, the annual inflation rate in August 2025 reached 9.9%.
Moreover, as of August 1, excise duty increases for fuels, alcohol, tobacco, and sugary drinks have come into effect, and VAT has been modified: the standard rate is now 21%, and the reduced rate is 11%.
As of August 1, a 10% health contribution applies to pensions over 3,000 lei, and as of January 1, 2026, the dividend tax will increase from 10% to 16%.
Measure Designed as an Anti-Inflation Shield
At the end of June, the Government led by Ilie Bolojan justified extending the capping by the need to protect vulnerable categories. "We decided to continue the measure until autumn to limit the effects of inflation on the population. It is a temporary but necessary solution," said the Prime Minister at that time.
Now, however, the Executive chooses to return to market-formed prices.