Hello again.
We met with the representatives of the food industry.
For two reasons.
On one hand, rising energy prices
that significantly affect their business,
on the other hand, the pressures of input raw materials on prices.
We took a look at this.
We agreed to continue with this.
We'll first take care of those
that are most under attack today in terms of energy prices,
and at the same time try to establish
effective control of the supply chain.
So that we know in which part of the chain
some excess money is maybe being made at the moment,
which is really not appropriate in these times.
At the same time, we informed them about our activities
which are linked to the entire economy.
We have just started talking
how to make a formula for energy sources for next year.
We advised them not to sign contracts for next year at this time,
because the real prices will be formed in the next month.
Do you already know how you can help them?
Yes, we have already agreed on some things,
but now we will meet individually at the operational level
to finish this. -Which areas have the most problems?
It also depends on companies, from company to company,
but half of the food industry is supplied today
from the point of view of the price of energy for this year.
The other half isn't.
Some have problems with gas supply cancellation,
they had to find replacement gas and such.
At the moment, the situation is quite fragmented, but it can be saved.
What is the situation in our region compared to others?
This is not a regional issue.
The problem is practically identical throughout Slovenia
and it depends more on how the managements of individual companies
have reacted so far. Next year will be the same.
All or most of Slovenia
will face challenges if we fail to find appropriate measures
first at the European, and then also at the national level.
But we won't. -Regarding the control of the sale of wood pellets.
Do you suspect that some are exploiting
the energy crisis for war profiteering?
Is that why you sent the inspectorate all over Slovenia?
Will you change the criminal legislation? What can the state do?
No, we will not change the criminal legislation during these times.
We will definitely tighten control over individual sales products,
especially where we will assess
that some traders may be systematically holding back stocks
and are waiting for a price increase, which they pass on to the population.
It is equally important that at the Ministry of Infrastructure
we are preparing a parity analysis, because we want
all energy sources to be treated equally
in terms of prices for the final customer.
For heating to be on par and comparable regardless of
which energy source does the household use.