The Ministerial Decisions for the implementation of measures against punctuality were signed by the Minister of Development, Kostas Skrekas.
This is the “Permanent price reduction” initiative with a special marking on the shelf, where it is foreseen that businesses will have to inform the ministry by November 30 and the shelf price on September 19 will be taken as the reference price for calculating the reduction. Also, the 59 categories of products for which an announcement of price increases is foreseen by supermarkets whose total annual turnover exceeds 90,000,000 euros and the categories of fruit and vegetable products (8 fruits and 33 vegetables) for which a retail announcement is foreseen sales prices to the Ministry of Development
In particular, the Ministerial Decisions provide for the following:
1. “Permanent Price Reduction” initiative with special marking.
The relevant Ministerial Decision describes the process of sending commitment documents from companies manufacturing or wholesale consumer products to the Ministry of Development, as well as the special labeling of the products participating in the initiative.
Businesses that manufacture or wholesale consumer products that will participate in the “Permanent Price Reduction” initiative should send the written commitment to the Ministry of Development by November 30, 2023. The shelf price on 9/19/23 will be taken as the reference price to calculate the reduction.
It is stipulated that supermarkets should place on the shelf with reduced price products a special sign with specific markings and specifications, as described in the new Ministerial Decision.
The Interagency Market Control Unit (D.I.M.E.A.) is the competent agency for imposing sanctions, in the event that a company falsely declares that it has proceeded with a price reduction.
2. Obligation for supermarkets to notify the Ministry of Development of price increases in products necessary for decent living or products in high demand.
The Ministerial Decision defines the categories of products for which price increases are to be announced by supermarkets whose total annual turnover exceeds 90,000,000 euros and describes the process of sending them to the Ministry of Development.
Announcements of any price increase in products necessary for a decent living or products in high demand will be sent to the Ministry of Development every Tuesday, until 15:00.
In the event that the debtor conceals, falsifies or does not provide the information, a fine of 50,000 euros is imposed by the Interagency Market Control Unit (D.I.M.E.A.).
These are the following product categories:
- Rice
- Bread for toast
- Loaf of bread
- toasts
- spaghetti-style macaroni
- Flour
- Legumes
- Paris
- Turkey (cold cuts)
- Frozen fish
- Fresh pork
- Fresh chicken and chicken parts
- Fresh beef
- Fresh whole milk
- Fresh low-fat milk
- Highly pasteurized (long life) whole milk
- Highly pasteurized (long-life) low-fat milk
- Evaporated milk
- Unflavored cow’s milk yogurt
- Unflavored low-fat cow’s milk yogurt
- Sliced feta cheese
- White cheese
- Gouda cheese
- Low-fat cheese
- Preserved tomato juice
- Eggs
- Margarines
- Butter
- Olive oil
- Sunflower oil
- Frozen vegetables
- White sugar
- Sweeteners suitable for diabetics (e.g. stevia)
- Oat products
- Baby cream
- Infant milk
- Greek coffee
- Instant coffee
- French coffee
- Orange juice
- Soft drinks
- Beer
- Water
- Chocolates
- Fuels (firewood, pellets, briquettes)
- Laundry detergents (liquid and powder – not tablets)
- Detergents for mopping and cleaning surfaces – bleaches
- Dishwashing detergents for hand washing
- Kitchen paper
- Toilet paper
- Toothpastes
- Sanitary napkins or tampons
- Shampoo
- Soaps in solid state
- Incontinence diapers
- Diapers for babies
- Baby wipes
- Baby shampoo
- Dog food
- Cat food
3. Obligation to announce retail sales prices of fruit and vegetable products.
The Ministerial Decision defines the categories of fruit and vegetable products for which retail sales prices are announced to the Ministry of Development.
The announcements of the indicative retail sales prices of fruit and vegetable products will be sent every Tuesday, at 09:00 through the digital platform e-katanalotis.gr.
The Ministry of Development can announce the range of prices prevailing in stores either through the digital platform or on the website of the General Secretariat of Commerce.
The decision concerns the following fruit and vegetables:
- FRUIT
- Grapes
- Lemons
- Bananas
- Valencia oranges
- Tangerines
- Pears
- Apples
- Golden Delicious apples
- Granny Smith apples
- Starkin Delicious apples
- Gala apples
- pomegranates
- VEGETABLES
- Mushrooms
- Artichokes
- Tomatoes
- cherry tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Pumpkins
- Lettuce
- Rocket
- Potatoes
- Potatoes of Cyprus
- Domestic potatoes
- Imported potatoes
- garlic (piece)
- Dry onions
- Fresh onions
- Spinach
- beets
- Carrots
- Radishes
- Cabbage
- Cauliflowers
- Broccoli
- Peppers
- Coarse peppers
- Long peppers
- Eggplants
- Parsley
- Anithos
- Celery
- Beans
The Minister of Development, Kostas Skrekas, said: “The government is promoting three new measures in the fight against punctuality. From the end of October, consumers will be able to find on supermarket shelves the special markings on products that suppliers have reduced their price by at least 5% and for at least 6 months, supporting the consumer public in this difficult time. At the same time, consistent with our commitment to scrutinizing all stages of the supply chain, we gather regular updates from supermarkets on potential price hikes on key consumer products. We are raising a wall of protection against the wave of precision that is hitting society, taking pioneering measures that no other country in Europe has taken. We support and will continue to support the Greek family,