Dagestani entrepreneurs consider calls not to raise prices futile.

The rise in food prices is due to price hikes by suppliers and is a forced move for retailers, Dagestani entrepreneurs reported, following calls from authorities not to raise prices ahead of Eid al-Fitr.

As reported by Kavkazsky Uzel, residents of Makhachkala report that food prices have risen during the month of Ramadan, both at markets and in stores. Amid the overall price hike, cafe and restaurant owners have also been forced to raise prices. Before Ramadan, meat and egg prices in Makhachkala rose sharply. The head of the Dagestani government, Abdulmuslim Abdulmuslimov, stated that every year, as people prepare for Eid al-Fitr, "some sellers and retail outlets try to profit from increased demand by unreasonably raising prices." "I call on and warn all Dagestan entrepreneurs to show respect for their customers, for the traditions of our republic, and for this sacred holiday," the Prime Minister stated on March 11.

The Telegram channel "What's Up with the Dagestanis?" published a video of the meeting on March 11, featuring an address from Shamil Bagandaliev, Head of the Protocol and Mass Events Department of the Muftiate of Dagestan, to Prime Minister Abdulmuslimov.

"On the eve of Eid al-Fitr, the Muftiate appeals to entrepreneurs and businesspeople. Since people need to stock up for the holiday, we ask that they not inflate prices. Unfortunately, such entrepreneurs do exist, and we are faced with price increases. Our job is simply to offer a word, a request, and an instruction. The reins of government and power are in your hands. "Therefore, Abdulmuslim Mukhudinovich, given that prices for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are inflated, you should be able to influence the government this year to keep prices low and affordable for everyone," the Muftiate representative said.

Businessmen have expressed mixed reactions to the call to forcibly limit price increases ahead of Eid al-Fitr.

"This isn't Soviet times, when the state set prices. Who can tell me what price to sell my products at? It all depends on wholesale suppliers, whose prices have been skyrocketing lately," store owner Sharip told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"In some cases, we have to refuse to buy products from suppliers because prices have risen unrealistically." "I'm no longer comfortable explaining to customers, many of whom are pensioners and low-income people, that it's not me raising prices. There's talk of curbing food price increases during Ramadan every year, and the authorities have never fulfilled their promises to limit price increases," says entrepreneur Kamil.

"We have a market economy; I look for products where they're cheaper and sell them with my markup. During Ramadan, I mark them up as little as possible. Now the government is going to come to me and tell me to sell pasta for 150 rubles instead of 200? Why make promises I can't keep," said Ali.

"We kept the price of our dishes constant until the very end. Recently, suppliers announced price increases for meat, cereals, and other products, and we had to raise prices on some dishes. "Regular customers are unhappy and said they'll look for other locations. "Profits were already low, and we're afraid of losing customers," said cafe owner Maria.