Prices and situation in consumer market in Azerbaijan (january 2013)

The Azerbaijani consumer market was developing rapidly in 2013 (9-10 percent). The retail trade facilities, catering trade points were developing in the country both qualitatively and quantitatively.

According to the State Statistics Committee, in Jan. 2013, the Azerbaijani trading networks sold consumer goods to the population at 1.481.7 billion manat, which is 9.1 percent more than in Jan. 2012. Legal entities and individual entrepreneurs ensured 56.4 percent of trade turnover, fairs and markets - 43.6 percent.

The share of private sector in the retail trade turnover amounted to 99.7 percent. The population bought consumer goods worth 1.477.9 billion manat from the enterprises in Jan. 2013 or 9.5 percent more than in the same month of last year.

The Azerbaijani retail trade facilities sold food worth 848.2 million manat with an increase of 0.9 percent and non-food goods worth 633.5 million manat with a growth of 22.5 percent.

In Jan. 2013, every citizen of the country acquired consumer goods at 160.3 manat per month.

Food products worth 91.8 manat, non-food products - worth 68.5 manat fall to every citizen in the country per month.

Paid services worth 536.1 million manat were rendered to the population during the period, or 8.4 percent more compared to Jan. 2012. Legal entities ensured 7.1 percent of this growth and rendered the services worth 407.4 million manat.

In Jan. 2013, each citizen bought paid services worth 58.0 manat per month, or 5.6 manat more than in Jan. 2012. Transportation, public utilities and communication services prevail in the structure of paid services.

Prices

The pace of growth of consumer prices, which began in the second half of 2011 continued declining in Jan. 2013.

According to the State Statistics Committee, in Jan. 2013, the prices on consumer goods and services increased by 1.2 percent compared to the previous month and by 0.8 percent in January 2013 in accordance with January 2012.

According to the Azerbaijani Central Bank's forecasts on the main directions of monetary and financial stability, preserving inflation at 5-6 percent by influencing the monetary growth rate by classical regulatory tools will be the main goal of monetary policy in Azerbaijan in 2013.

The prices on consumer goods decreased by 0.6 percent, tariffs for services increased by 3.4 percent and non-food goods by 0.5 percent in Jan. 2013 compared to Jan. 2012.

Food prices increased by 0.6 percent, nonfood goods - by 0.1 percent and tariffs for services - by 3.0 percent in Jan. 2013 compared to Dec. 2012.

Last month, the prices on rice, buckwheat, chicken, butter, sugar, granulated sugar, oranges, bananas, beetroot, carrots, and mushrooms reduced. In January, prices on bread, pasta, fresh fish, olive oil, sour cream, tangerines, apples, pears, quince, pomegranates, persimmons, greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, garlic, potatoes, cabbage decreased.

The prices on fabric, clothing and footwear, oil paint, parquet flooring and laminate flooring, kitchen furniture, kitchen tables, equipment for measuring pressure, jewelry increased.

The price on electric lamps, mixers, cameras, cars, bikes and toys decreased in January.

The tariffs for international air flights and notary services increased.

In Jan., 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 0.1 percent compared to the previous month and by 0.4 percent per annum.

As of Jan. the index of producer prices in manufacturing industry decreased by 0.2 percent. The prices in wood processing and wood product manufacturing and clothing remained at the same level, production of rubber and plastic goods decreased by 1.6 percent.

Prices in the food industry increased by 0.1 percent, electrical equipment - remained at the same level, leather products and footwear decreased by 0.6 percent.

Average market price and indices of basic food commodities in Jan. 2013

Source: Azerbaijani State Statistics Committee