Belarusians rush to Ukrainian markets (Video)

Products costs twice as cheaper in Ukraine.

Thousands of Belarusians from near-border districts rush to markets in Ukraine's Volyn region. Shopping tours to Ukraine are popular among residents of the Brest and Homel regions of Belarus, because food in Ukraine costs twice as cheaper.

Journalists of ICTV show how thousands of Belarusians visit the village of Zabolottya and buy everything from building materials to food.

“We buy mayonnaise, cheese, cucumbers, cookies and chocolate-coated zefir,” Mikalai Liashuk says. “Prices in Belarus are two times higher. I am a pensioner and have much spare time. I know your [Ukrainian] language.”

Ukrainian border guards say the number of passengers from Belarus has significantly increased lately.

“Passenger traffic increased 10% in comparison to last year,” Ihor Hovorushchak, the head of the border control committee, says. “We hired more people to make border control procedures more convenient for people.”

Dairy products and sausages are the most popular products at the market in Zabolottya.

“Cottage cheese is cheaper here, as well as milk and butter,” pensioner from Belarus Alena Paulik says.

A return ticket from Brest to Zabolottya costs less than $5.