Prices and situation in consumer market in Azerbaijan (January-February 2014)

According to the State Statistics Committee, the Azerbaijani trading networks sold consumer goods to the population at 3.544 billion AZN in January-February 2015, which is 8.5 percent more than in the same period of 2014. Legal entities ensured 11.8 percent of trade turnover, individual entrepreneurs - 52.9 percent, fairs and markets - 35.1 percent.

In January-February 2015 the food trade (1.775 billion AZN) increased by 1.6 percent from year to year, while retail sales of non-food items (1.769 billion AZN) - by 16.8 percent. Over this period, every citizen of the country acquired consumer goods at 186.9 AZN per month, which is 16.4 AZN more than in January-February 2014.

Paid services worth 1.077 billion AZN were rendered to the population in January-February 2015 or 5.1 percent more compared to January-February 2014. Legal entities ensured 68.1 percent of this growth and rendered the services worth 802.7 million AZN.

Each citizen bought paid services worth 56.8 AZN per month in January-February 2015 or 2.9 AZN more than in January-February 2014. Transportation, public utilities and communication services prevail in the structure of paid services. Besides improving the material condition, great using of paid services by the population is associated with the fact that the structure of rendered paid services is being improved. A network of companies is being developed in this sector.

Prices

According to the State Statistics Committee, in February 2015, the prices on consumer goods and tariffs on services increased by 4 percent compared to the previous month and hit 2 percent in January-February 2015 compared to January-February 2014.

For comparison, the annual inflation in the country amounted to 2.1 percent in January-February 2014. It hit 0.4 percent in February 2014.

The food prices increased by 6.6 percent, non-food items - 3.1 percent, tariffs for services - 1.2 percent in Azerbaijan in February 2015.

The food prices increased by 2.5 percent, non-food items - 1.7 percent, tariffs for services - by 1.4 percent in January-February compared to the same period of 2014.

In February, the base index of consumer prices, calculated except for the goods and services subject to seasonal changes (fruits and vegetables) and the prices of which are regulated by the state, increased by 3.9 percent compared to the previous month and by 2.5 percent in January-February 2015 compared to the same period of 2014.

As a result of the measures, the prices on main products and medicines remain at the same level as they were before the manat rate changed in Azerbaijan. As a result of the measures, an attempt of unreasonable overpricing of flour was prevented. As a result of the measures taken by the State Service for Antimonopoly Policy and Consumer Rights Protection of the Ministry of Economic Development, an attempt of overpricing of other consumer goods was prevented. The prices returned to previous level.

The industrial producer price index reduced by 21.1 percent in Azerbaijan in February 2015 compared to December 2014. During this period, producer prices in the mining industry decreased by 26.8 percent, while in the manufacturing industry - by 8.3 percent.

The producer prices in the extraction of stone, sand, salt, gravel remained at the same level in February. The producer prices in metal ore extraction were 26.8 percent in February.

Average market price and indices of basic food commodities in January-February 2015

Source: Azerbaijani State Statistics Committee