Russia plans food stamps: Help for the poor in times of crisis!

Russia plans food stamps: Help for the poor in times of crisis!

In Russia, the discussion about reintroducing food stamps is becoming increasingly urgent. The country's politicians see this measure as urgently needed to support socially disadvantaged groups while inflation continues to prevail. Anatoly Aksakov, chairman of the State Duma Financial Markets Committee, said such brands could ensure that the most vulnerable people are provided with basic food items. These considerations come as food prices continue to rise, pushing many citizens into poverty. Since the start of the Ukraine conflict, the economic situation in Russia has suffered from sharply increased inflation rates, which stood at 8.9 percent in November 2024. High government and military spending also contribute to the financial difficulties of many households reported in detail.

Increased food prices and increasing burdens

According to a comprehensive survey, Russian citizens' monthly spending on food increased by about 4,500 rubles over the past two years, an increase of 21,100 rubles (approximately 210 euros). These costs now account for a significant portion of household budgets, with 74 percent of Russians saying they shop primarily in physical stores. The survey, conducted by the National Agency for Financial Information (NAFI), shows that a third of Russians' spending goes on food. These developments highlight the acute pressure on the daily cost of living, particularly for food, the prices of which have risen significantly in recent years Forbes reports.

Inflation has also led to dramatic increases in the price of staple foods, including a rise in egg prices of over 60 percent year-on-year. In addition, tomatoes and bananas rose in price by 52 and 46 percent respectively. Concerned economic analysts warn that price pressure will continue unless there are significant changes in current fiscal policy and the ruble's valuation. Russia's central bank has kept interest rates at 16 percent to counter the inflation trend, with economic uncertainty remaining high.