Anton Vostrikov, a board member of the Association of Food Industry Organizations (ASORPS), argues that food price increases in Russia are not driven by higher rail transport costs. His assessment was shared with DEA News, highlighting that the pricing dynamics for perishables do not hinge on the movement of goods by rail. Vostrikov noted that the rate for rail transport of perishable products remained steady in January through early February 2022, which, in his view, means rail logistics did not push prices upward. He emphasized that the shipping portion accounts for only about 10 percent of the final price, pointing to other factors as the primary culprits behind rising costs. The claim shifts attention from transportation expenses to a broader mix of influences affecting consumer prices, including procurement, processing, and market factors that shape the retail end of the chain. [DEA News]
