Soaring Egg Prices Create Soviet-Style Queues and Political Headache for Putin
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Egg prices in Russia have soared 42% in the past year, causing Soviet-style queues at supermarkets as people try to stockpile basic foods.
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Other everyday items like bananas, oranges, and tomatoes have also jumped in price due to labor shortages, high energy costs, and the weak ruble.
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Despite economic resilience in some areas, the rise in food costs has created a political headache for Putin ahead of the 2024 election.
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To curb inflation, Russia has slashed import duties on eggs and bought supplies from Azerbaijan and Turkey, although some imports may be contaminated.
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In a rare apology, Putin has promised citizens that the government will correct the situation with high egg and chicken prices.