Prices and situation in consumer market in Azerbaijan (Jan.-Aug. 2012)

The Azerbaijani consumer market is developing rapidly (9-10 percent of the annual growth). The retail trade facilities, catering trade points form the basis of this growth. They are developing in the country both qualitatively and quantitatively.

According to the State Statistics Committee, in Jan.-Aug. 2012, the Azerbaijani trading networks sold consumer goods to the population at 10.972.4 billion manat, which is 9.2 percent more than in Jan.-Aug. 2011. Legal entities and individual enterpreneurs ensured 59 percent of trade turnover, fairs and markets - 41 percent.

The share of private sector in the retail trade turnover amounted to 99.6 percent. The population bought consumer goods worth 10.923.3 billion manat from the enterprises in January-August, or 9.3 percent more than in the same month of last year.

During the reported period, every citizen of the country acquired consumer goods at 149.3 manat that is 13.1 percent more than in Jan.-Aug. 2011. The Azerbaijani retail trade facilities sold food worth 6.174.9 billion manat with an increase of 1.0 percent and non-food goods worth 4.797.5 billion manat with a growth of 22.1 percent.

Paid services worth 3.491.4 billion manat were rendered to the population during the period, or 7.5 percent more compared to January-August 2011. Legal entities ensured 51.3 percent of this growth and rendered the services worth 1.9 billion manat.

In January-August 2012, each citizen acquired paid services worth 47.5 manat, or 3.4 manat more than in January-August 2011. Transportation, public utilities and communication services prevail in the structure of paid services

Prices

Deflation was fixed in Azerbaijan in August. In Aug. 2012, the prices on consumer goods and tariffs for services decreased by 0.5 percent compared to the previous month, and increased by 1.7 percent compared to Jan.-Aug. 2011 (data from the State Statistics Committee)

Food prices increased by 1.9 percent, nonfood goods - by 1.3 percent, and tariffs for services - by 1.5 percent compared to Jan.-Aug. 2011.

Food prices decreased by 0.8 percent in Aug. 2012 compared to July 2012, nonfood goods remained at the same level. The prices on tariffs for services decreased by 0.3 percent.

The prices on buckwheat, chicken, fish, butter, sunflower oil and corn oil, sugar, granulated sugar, bananas, apples, pears, peaches, tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet peppers, eggplant, onions, and potatoes decreased during a month.

The prices on flour, semolina, bread, beef and veal, chestnuts, cabbage, greens, beets, carrots, beans, garlic, watermelon and melon increased.

The tariffs on the Internet decreased in Aug. 2012.

In Aug. 2012, the index of industrial production prices increased by 8.7 percent compared to the previous month. The prices increased by 6.3 percent compared to Jan.-Aug. 2011. Prices increased by 10.5 percent in the oil and gas production compared to the previous month, but increased by 7.1 percent compared to Jan.-Aug. 2011.

In the processing of chemical products, prices increased by 0.2 percent during the month, but by 2.7 percent per annum. In Aug. 2012, the prices in metallurgy increased by 0.2 percent compared to the previous month, and increased by 5.9 percent during the year. In Aug., prices on electricity, gas and water increased by 0.3 percent compared to the previous month and decreased by 0.1 percent per annum

In Aug. the index of producer prices in manufacturing industry decreased by 0.5 percent. The prices in wood processing and wood product manufacturing decreased by 0.3 percent, clothing - increased by 0.2 percent, production of rubber and plastic goods - by 2.4 percent.

Prices in the food industry increased by 0.3 percent, electrical equipment decreased by 2.4 percent, leather, leather products and footwear by 3.5 percent.

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

Source: Azerbaijani State Statistics Committee