Elena Masurnovskaya, head of the main department for consumer market control, services sector, and turnover of excise goods of the State Control Committee, told Belta which violations and shortcomings the State Control Committee (KGC) identified in its study of the situation with the sale of domestic goods in the domestic market.

The issue was considered at the KGC collegium. Elena Masurnovskaya noted that the socio‑economic development program for 2025 set a goal to increase the share of domestic goods in the total volume of retail turnover to 63%, including food goods to 85%.

"Goals have not been achieved. At the same time, over the past years the share of Belarusian goods sales has been declining. If it was 59.5% in 2023, it will be only 54.4% in 2025. The situation is not much better this year: from January to September it is 55%. Targeted work to increase the share of Belarusian products sales at both the republican and regional, district levels is not actively carried out," said Elena Masurnovskaya.

Last year none of the largest retailers reached the set target. At the same time, owners of retail chains also bear responsibility for creating demand in favor of domestic goods.

"Belarusian goods are often available in a limited assortment, placed on lower shelves or in inconvenient locations for customers. Retail chains ignore MERT's recommendations on priority display of domestic products. One of the reasons for this situation is that importers pay retail chains premiums and bonuses for the sale of imported goods," explained Elena Masurnovskaya.

Low‑price stores also have a significant impact on the share of domestic goods sales. Numerous cases have been identified where they sell imported goods of inadequate quality, without documents confirming purchase, quality, and safety.

"We also encounter the passivity of manufacturers who do not promote their products. Some in‑demand models are discontinued. There is weak marketing policy. Work with small entities is not established," she concluded.