Prices and situation in consumer market in Azerbaijan (January-October 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.-Oct. 2012, the Azerbaijani trading networks sold consumer goods to the population at 13.997.3 billion manat, which is 9.4 percent more than in Jan.-Oct. 2011. Legal entities and individual entrepreneurs ensured 53.8 percent of trade turnover, fairs and markets - 46.2 percent.

The share of private sector in the retail trade turnover amounted to 99.6 percent. The population bought consumer goods worth 13.939.2 billion manat from the enterprises in January-October, or 9.6 percent more than in the same month of last year.

During the reported period, every citizen of the country acquired consumer goods at 151.9 manat that is 12.8 percent more than in Jan.-Oct. 2011. The Azerbaijani retail trade facilities sold food worth 7.810.5 billion manat with an increase of 1.9 percent and non-food goods worth 6.186.8 billion manat with a growth of 20.5 percent.

The share of food in total volume of retail trade turnover decreased by 4.1 percentage points to 55.8 percent, non-food - increased to 44.2 percent compared to Jan.-Oct. 2011.

During the reporting period, food products worth 84.8 manat, non-food products - worth 67.1 manat fall to every citizen in the country per month.

Paid services worth 4.568.9 billion manat were rendered to the population during the period, or 7.7 percent more compared to January-October 2011. Legal entities ensured 71.0 percent of this growth and rendered the services worth 3.5 billion manat.

In January-October 2012, each citizen acquired paid services worth 49.9 manat, or 3.8 manat more than in January-October 2011. Transportation, public utilities and communication services prevail in the structure of paid services.

Prices

According to the State Statistics Committee, in Oct. 2012, the prices on consumer goods and tariffs for services increased by 0.7 percent compared to the previous month, and increased by 1.3 percent compared to Jan.-Oct. 2011 (data from the State Statistics Committee).

Food prices increased by 1.2 percent, nonfood goods - by 1.2 percent, and tariffs for services - by 1.3 percent compared to Jan.-Oct. 2011. Food prices increased by 1.5 percent in Oct. 2012 compared to Sept. 2012, nonfood goods and the prices on tariffs for services remained at the same level.

In October, 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 0.3 percent compared to the previous month and by 1.8 percent in January-October per annum.

During the month, the prices on flour, bread, meat (beef and mutton), chicken, fresh fish, milk, eggs, oranges, bananas, pears, grapes, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, beets, carrots, garlic, potatoes increased. The prices on buckwheat, butter, vegetable oil, sugar, granulated sugar, lemons, tangerines, apples, quinces, pomegranates, onions, greens, cabbages decreased.

In Oct. the index of producer prices in manufacturing industry increased by 2.4 percent. The prices in wood processing and wood product manufacturing remained at the same level, clothing - decreased by 0.4 percent, production of rubber and plastic goods increased by 4.4 percent.

Prices in the food industry increased by 2.5 percent, electrical equipment decreased by 0.1 percent, leather, leather products and footwear increased by 9.1 percent.

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

Source: Azerbaijani State Statistics Committee