Economists predict growth of prices in southern Russia because of road tolls

In Russia, the introduction of tolls on federal highways for traffic of trucks will force carriers to increase the prices for their services, and that will ultimately result in the growth of prices for food in the stores. This opinion was expressed by economists interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot". According to them, consumers from the regions of Northern Caucasus will face the worst deterioration of the situation.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 15, Russia introduced the system "Platon" to collect tolls from trucks for the use of the roads of federal significance. The initiative provoked protest actions of truckers across the country, including the Southern Federal District (SFD) and the North-Caucasian Federal District (NCFD).

According to Natalia Zubarevich, Associate Professor of the Higher School of Economics, although the introduction of the tolls initially affects only carriers, then they will raise the prices for their services for transportation of goods. In turn, a retailer will purchase the goods at new prices and increase the prices in the stores. Thus, it is the final consumer who will pay the new toll.

Natalia Zubarevich suggests that primarily, the introduction of the new toll is beneficial for the state-owned company "Russian Motor Roads", since the money collected from carriers will be received by the "Russian Motor Roads", which should direct the funds for the repair of roads.

According to Mikhail Delyagin, Director of the Institute of Globalization Problems, the new tolls will not destroy the economic benefits of the transportation business. Mikhail Delyagin expects that part of the goods will now be transported to retailers through the railways and the other expenses will be compensated through the higher prices for the goods.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.