Moldovan restaurateurs are asking for the authorities’ help as prices in the HoReCa establishments will rise by about 30% due to the rise in the natural gas price.
The National Association of Restaurants and Entertainment Pubs of Moldova (MĂR) stated this while expressing regret that in the face of a significant increase in gas prices, the Moldovan government does not consider compensation measures for economic agents, and in this regard, the HoReCa sector will face a new crisis. MĂR representatives recalled that currently, in accordance with the restrictions approved by the National Public Health Emergency Commission, the HoReCa sector operates at 30% capacity. In administrative-territorial units with a larger population, increased economic activity and concentration of public catering establishments, there is a "red code", which provides for: activity at 50% of the capacity of service rooms, entry only on the basis of a COVID certificate, and a ban on private events. MĂR drew attention to the fact that the chain rise in prices, which will occur due to the rise in gas prices, will provoke an increase in restaurant spending. The cost of utilities will increase at least 3 times and will affect the price of final meals - their cost is expected to increase by 30%. In theory, introducing costs into the price of meals would cover the exorbitant sums that each restaurant must compensate for. At the same time, catering establishments will retain the same capacity, but there will be fewer guests. Citizens will focus on covering basic expenses, especially during the cold season: utility bills, food, clothing and other personal needs. Currently, a person spends 4% of his income on entertainment (including visiting a catering establishment). Thus, in the context of a chain of price increases, including an increase in the cost of dishes in restaurants and cafes, the number of consumers and the average consumer check will decrease. MĂR emphasizes that in these conditions, authorities’ intervention and support to this important sector of the economy is extremely necessary. “We hope that the authorities will reconsider their decision not to subsidize economic agents and will support the sector of the economy, which is on the verge of bankruptcy due to the pandemic,” the National Association of Restaurants and Entertainment Pubs of Moldova said in a statement. // 12.11.2021 - InfoMarket
