Prices and situation in consumer market in Azerbaijan (January 2012)

In Jan. 2012, the Azerbaijani trading networks sold consumer goods to the population at 1.360.3 billion manat, which is 9.4 percent more than Jan. 2011. Legal entities and individual entrepreneurs ensured 59.9 percent of trade turnover, fairs and markets - 40.1 percent.

The share of private sector in the retail trade turnover amounted to 99.4 percent. The population bought consumer goods worth 1.352.7 billion manat from the enterprises in January, or 9.5 percent more than in the same month of last year.

During the reported period, every citizen of the country acquired consumer goods at 149.2 manat that is 17.1 percent more than in Jan. 2011. This stipulates the purchasing capacity of citizens.

The Azerbaijani retail trade facilities sold food worth 845.7 million manat with an increase of 2.9 percent and the share of 62.2 percent and non-food goods worth 514.6 million with a growth of 23.5 percent and the share of 37.8 percent to the population.

The volume of e-trade turnover amounted to 76,100 manat in Azerbaijan in January 2012. About 95.3 percent of this amount falls to the sales made by legal entities, 4.7 percent - physical entities. Non-food goods worth 98.3 percent or 74,800 manat were sold through e-commerce, 1.7 percent (1,300 manat) - food.

Paid services worth 478.3 million manat were rendered to the population during the period, or 10.3 percent more compared to January 2011. Legal entities ensured 57.1 percent of this growth and rendered the services worth 368.0 million manat.

In January 2012, each citizen acquired paid services worth 52.4 manat, or 6.7 manat more than in January 2011. Transportation, public utilities and communication services prevail in the structure of paid services.

Prices

In Jan. 2012, the prices on consumer goods and tariffs for services increased by 0.1 percent compared to the previous month, and increased by 4.8 percent in Jan. 2012 compared to Jan. 2011 (data from the State Statistics Committee).

Food prices increased by 5.7 percent, nonfood goods - by 1.3 percent, and tariffs for services - by5.5 percent compared to Jan. 2011.

Food prices increased by 0.1 percent, nonfood goods and tariffs for services remained at the same level in Jan. 2012 compared to December 2011.

During the month the prices on semolina, mutton, sausage, pasteurized milk, butter, corn oil, tangerines, apples, pears, quinces, pomegranates, chestnuts, cabbage, nuts increased.

The price on flour, bread, buckwheat, beef and chicken, fresh fish, sunflower and olive oil, eggs, lemons, bananas, oranges, carrots, garlic, onions and potatoes cheapened.

In Jan. 2012, the base index of the consumer prices, excluding goods and services, subjected to seasonal changes (fruits and vegetable) and the prices being regulated by the government remained at the same level compared to the previous month and increased by 2.8 percent compared to Jan. 2011.

In Jan. 2012, the index of industrial production prices increased by 2.1 percent compared to the previous month. The prices increased by 19.6 percent compared to 2011. Prices increased by 2.7 percent in the oil and gas production in Jan. compared to the previous month, but increased by 22.8 percent compared to Jan. 2011.

In the processing of chemical products, prices decreased by 4.6 percent during the month, but increased by 9.8 percent per annum. In Jan. 2012, the prices in metallurgy remained at the same level compared to the previous month, and increased by 8.3 percent during the year. In Jan., prices on electricity, gas and water remained unchanged compared to the previous month

In January the index of producer prices in manufacturing industry hit 99.8 percent. The prices in the machinery and equipment production increased by 0.4 percent, wood processing and wood product manufacturing - 0.2 percent, clothing - 0.2 percent, production of rubber and plastic goods - by 0.1 percent.

Prices in the food industry dropped by 0.1 percent, electrical equipment - by 0.2 percent, leather, leather products and footwear - 1.1 percent.

The tariffs for transportation of goods by the transport sector decreased by 2.4 percent in Azerbaijan in January compared to December last year. The tariffs for passenger transportation decreased by 6.4 percent in January.

In January, the tariffs for telecommunications services fell by 5.8 percent. The tariffs for electricity and fixed telephone communication have not been changed. The tariffs for mobile services decreased by 6.6 percent and Internet services by 20.8 percent In January 2012 compared to the same period of 2011.

The producer prices on agricultural products increased by 0.6 percent in Azerbaijan in Jan. 2012 compared to the previous month and increased by 4.7 percent compared to January 2011.

The production prices on livestock products increased by 1.3 percent compared to January last year and 8 percent per year. During the year the price on annual plants increased by 1.4 percent, long-term plants - by 6 percent. The prices on wheat increased by 0.8 percent, corn - 28.5 percent, vegetables, watermelons, melons, roots - fell by 0.1 percent. Leaf and stem vegetables increased by 15.2 percent, watermelons and melons decreased by 10.6 percent, potatoes - increased by 3.2 percent, cotton - by 3.6 percent, forage crops - by 6.6 percent, berries - by 1.4 percent.

The prices on tropical and subtropical fruits increased (1.7 percent), large fruits (10.8 percent), other fruit trees, bush fruits and nuts (15.9 percent). The production prices on citrus fruits decreased by 9.4 percent, grapes - 9.5 percent during the year.

Average market price and indices of basic food commodities in Jan. 2012

Source: The Azerbaijani State Statistics Committee