The sellers in the Transnistrian region, especially Tiraspol and Bender, reached the agreement to maintain the meat prices high. Vitalii Ulitka, head of the region’s Prices and Antimonopoly Service, was quoted by “Novyi Reghion” as saying that the market is dominated not by animal breeders, but by intermediaries that set cartel prices, Info-Prim Neo reports. “Before and during the holidays, when the demand for meat is higher, the prices rise. The rises are based exclusively on subjective factors. Somebody simply wants to increase their incomes,” said Vitalii Ulitka. A quota of at least 25% of selling places for the local producers was imposed at the markets of the region last year. But this provision is not implemented everywhere, especially at private markets. The owners argue that all the selling places have been leased out. The pork in Transnistria costs 70-75 rubles (80-85 lei), while the beef – 60-65 rubles (68-73 lei).