G. Georgantas: There is sufficiency and stocks of goods

There is sufficiency in the market, there is a flow in the supply of products, there is no risk of food sufficiency, just for some products it takes a little time to adapt the market to the new data, stressed the Minister of Agriculture George Georgantas in an interview with SKAI.

The Minister for Rural Development and Food added that there is a sufficient supply of goods throughout the EU. A small problem is found in sunflower oil, which Greek households use a little, but even there alternatives have been found, as in feed, but also in common wheat and corn, with imports from other European countries, but also from South America and Canada.

The minister stressed that there are raw materials, but the market needs some time to self-regulate and deal with accuracy. “Sufficiency exists, but we also want availability, especially in raw materials,” he said.

In order to combat any speculation, as he said, with yesterday’s order voted by the Parliament, those involved in the supply chain for specific agricultural products and animal feed, are obliged to declare their stocks. “We want to send a message that we will not allow anyone to speculate,” Mr Georgantas said.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, in the coming days will be announced the manner and time of payment of more than 40 million euros to support our farmers in order to supply them with feed. He reminded that the Mitsotakis government has reduced the VAT on animal feed and fertilizers to 6%.

“Our goal is to strengthen the primary sector, to support the farmer to continue producing. If farmers and stockbreeders continue to produce, we have nothing to worry about,” said Georgantas, explaining that it is the government’s political choice to support, first of all, the farmer by profession, that is, the one whose income comes only from the production of agricultural products.