The expert of Stavropol University told about the advantages of monitoring prices for the basic basket of food

From January 1, 2027, by decision of the government, a regime of continuous monitoring of prices for the basic basket of food is introduced in Russia. It will cover 24 types of essential foods. The list includes beef, pork, poultry, fish, pasta, cereals, vegetables of a borsch set.

The initiative was a response to the continuing volatility of the food market. Despite the gradual slowdown in inflation, the situation remains tense. According to Rosstat, in 2024 inflation was 9.52%. In 2025, the indicator decreased to 5.59%, but in August 2026, annual inflation accelerated again - to 6.33% against 5.98% a month earlier.

“Food inflation has traditionally outpaced overall inflation. Only in 2025, ice cream fish rose by almost 17%, and bakery products by more than 11%. In general, food in the first-third quarters of 2026 added 4.63%. It is this instability that makes systemic price controls particularly relevant. Creating a single digital contour of food market transparency is critically necessary, said Oksana Taranenko, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Head of the Department of Economics, Management and Public Administration of the Pyatigorsk branch of the North Caucasus Federal University.

She also believes that data collection alone will not be a “magic pill” for rising prices. Monitoring is a tool of observation, not direct regulation, but its indirect impact on the consumer price index can be very significant. Thanks to this tool, information transparency will increase and there will be an opportunity for point support for manufacturers.

But any measure has a downside, and one of the main risks in this case is a possible deterioration in the quality of products. To keep the price under monitoring, manufacturers can use cheaper raw materials or reduce the volume of packaging. So-called “hidden inflation” can negate the visible effect of price stabilization.

According to the expert, this initiative will help buyers to plan the budget more accurately. Families will be able to rely on open data on price movements. In addition, monitoring will help prevent shortages of goods. Timely fixation of a sharp increase in wholesale prices will help to take the necessary measures in advance. The state will be able to conduct commodity interventions from the state fund or temporarily zero import duties, which will help to avoid the disappearance of goods from the shelves of stores.