A proposal in Russia sought to cap the profit margins on food sold at airports, railway stations, seaports, and river ports. The draft law was prepared by the Liberal Democrat Party, according to reports cited by News as the source of the document.
In an explanatory note reviewed by Izvestia, the authors argued that food items at railway and bus stations, as well as at sea and river ports and airports, often carry much higher markups than those seen in stores, supermarkets, and other retail outlets. This price gap means travelers frequently encounter inflated prices at these transit hubs.
Journalists noted that travelers typically have limited alternatives for purchasing food at these locations, effectively leaving them to contend with what they describe as an unfair pricing regime.
Additionally, it was pointed out that airport security rules can limit what travelers may carry aboard, for instance restricting containers over 100 milliliters. This regulatory constraint can leave travelers with fewer options and a greater dependence on overpriced items at the point of sale.
Yaroslav Nilov of the LDPR, who chairs the State Duma committee and helped draft the bill, told reporters that public concerns over the issue spurred the proposed changes. He argued that in certain regions where businesses set their own prices, state intervention would help regulate costs for essential goods. He stressed that the proposal targets ordinary items, not luxury goods like red caviar or premium sausages.
Nilov explained that the measure would cover items such as bottled water, bakery products, and other staples that should not be priced at ten times their cost.
Earlier, Izvestia reported that global vegetable prices have been climbing to new highs, contributing to broader concerns about affordability.
[Citation: The discussion reflects ongoing debates about price controls and consumer protection for travelers in transit hubs, with authorities weighing the balance between market dynamics and access to affordable essentials.]