Russian shops to limit food sales to counter black market

Retailers in Russia will limit sales of essential foodstuffs to limit black market speculation and ensure affordability, the government said Sunday, as sanctions imposed over Moscow's military incursion into Ukraine began to bite.

The trade and industry ministry over the weekend said there had been cases where essential foodstuffs had been purchased  "in a volume clearly larger than necessary for private consumption (up to several tons) for subsequent resale".

Trade organisations representing retailers proposed that retailers be allowed to limit the volume of specific goods sold to individuals at any one time.

"The Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Agriculture supported the initiative of trade organisations," the release said.