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

In Jan.-Feb. 2012, the Azerbaijani trading networks sold consumer goods to the population at 2.617.2 billion manat, which is 9.0 percent more than Jan.-Feb. 2011. Legal entities and individual enterpreneurs ensured 46.3 percent of trade turnover, fairs and markets - 40.8 percent.

The share of private sector in the retail trade turnover amounted to 99.4 percent. The population bought consumer goods worth 2.602.5 billion manat from the enterprises in January-February, or 9.1 percent more than in the same month of last year.

During the reported period, every citizen of the country acquired consumer goods at 143.3 manat in Jan.-Feb. 2012 that is 14.9 percent more than in Jan.-Feb. 2011. This stipulates the purchasing capacity of citizens.

The Azerbaijani retail trade facilities sold food worth 1.567.3 billion manat with an increase of 2.4 percent and the share of 59.9 percent and non-food goods worth 1.049.9 billion with a growth of 21.9 percent and the share of 40.1 percent to the population.

The volume of e-trade turnover amounted to 171,200 manat in Azerbaijan in January-February 2012. About 93.2 percent of this amount falls to the sales made by legal entities, 6.8 percent - physical entities. Non-food goods worth 164,500 manat were sold through e-commerce, 6,700 manat - food.

Paid services worth 851.1 million manat were rendered to the population during the period, or 8.3 percent more compared to January-February 2011. Legal entities ensured 63.8 percent of this growth and rendered the services worth 659.7 million manat.

In January-February 2012, each citizen acquired paid services worth 46.6 manat, or 4.4 manat more than in January-February 2011. Transportation, public utilities and communication services prevail in the structure of paid services.

Prices

In Jan.-Feb. 2012, the prices on consumer goods and tariffs for services increased by 0.1 percent compared to the previous month, and increased by 3.7 percent in Jan.-Feb. 2012 compared to Jan.-Feb. 2011 (data from the State Statistics Committee).

Food prices increased by 4.6 percent, nonfood goods - by 1.3 percent, and tariffs for services - by 3.4 percent compared to Jan.-Feb. 2011.

Food prices increased by 0.2 percent, nonfood goods and tariffs for services remained at the same level in Feb. 2012 compared to Jan. 2012.

During the month the prices on rice, mutton, sausage, fish, pasteurized milk, cheese, margarine, apples, pears, quinces, pomegranates, chestnuts, cabbage, nuts, greens increased.

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

Among paid services rendered to the population, the increase in tariffs for air transportation of passengers via international flights, as well as CIS countries may be stressed.

In Feb. 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 2.5 percent compared to Jan.-Feb. 2011.

In Feb. 2012, the index of industrial production prices increased by 6.3 percent compared to the previous month. The prices increased by 20.2 percent compared to Jan.-Feb. 2011. Prices increased by 7.6 percent in the oil and gas production in Feb. compared to the previous month, but increased by 23.7 percent compared to Jan.-Feb. 2011.

In the processing of chemical products, prices decreased by 0.2 percent during the month, but increased by 7.3 percent per annum. In Feb. 2012, the prices in metallurgy decreased by 1.1 percent compared to the previous month, and increased by 14.4 percent during the year. In Feb., prices on electricity, gas and water increased by 0.1 percent compared to the previous month and by 0.5 percent per annum.

In Feb. the index of producer prices in manufacturing industry hit 100.2 percent. The prices in the machinery and equipment production increased by 2.6 percent, wood processing and wood product manufacturing - 0.1 percent, clothing - 0.2 percent, production of rubber and plastic goods - by 1.5 percent.

Prices in the food industry increased by 0.9, electrical equipment - by 0.1 percent, leather, leather products and footwear - 1.3 percent.

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

Source: The Azerbaijani State Statistics Committee