Prices and situation in consumer market in Azerbaijan (January-April 2014)

The Azerbaijani consumer market continues developing rapidly (9-10 percent) in 2014. The retail trade facilities, catering trade points are developing in the country both qualitatively and quantitatively.

According to the State Statistics Committee, the Azerbaijani trading networks sold consumer goods to the population at 6.586.3 billion manat in January-April 2014, which is 9.1 percent more than in the same period of 2013. Legal entities ensured 11.6 percent of trade turnover, individual entrepreneurs - 51.8 percent, fairs and markets - 36.5 percent.

The Azerbaijani retail trade facilities sold food worth 3.425 billion manat with an increase of 2.1 percent and non-food goods worth 3.161.3 billion manat with an increase of 17.6 percent.

During this period, every citizen of the country acquired consumer goods at 175.5 manat per month or by 16.7 manat more than in the same period of 2013.

Paid services worth 1.977.9 billion manat were rendered to the population in January-April 2014 or 6.6 percent more compared to the same period of 2013. Legal entities ensured 59.2 percent of this growth and rendered the services worth 1.477.4 billion manat.

Each citizen bought paid services worth 52.8 manat per month in January-April 2014 or 2.8 manat more than in the same period of 2013. Transportation, public utilities and communication services prevail in the structure of paid services. Besides improving the material condition, great using of paid services by the population is associated with the fact that the structure of rendered paid services is being improved. A network of companies is being developed in this sector.

Prices

According to the State Statistics Committee, in April 2014, the prices on consumer goods and tariffs on services increased by 0.2 percent compared to the previous month and by 1.9 percent in January-April compared to the first four months of 2013.

Thus, inflation in Azerbaijan, which is one of the indices of macroeconomic stability, hit only 1.9 percent in April 2014.

Prices for food and non-food goods increased by 0.2 percent, and tariffs for paid services rendered to the population - by 0.1 percent in Azerbaijan in April.

The passenger transportation tariffs increased by 0.1 percent in Azerbaijan in April. Passenger transport by air to the CIS countries for the period decreased by 6.5 percent, but increased by 6.9 percent to other foreign destinations. Passenger transport services by rail increased by 13 percent.

The food prices increased by 1.9 percent, non-food products - by 3.6 percent, tariffs for services - by 0.3 percent in the reporting period of the year compared to January-April 2013.

In April, 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 1.6 percent for two months compared to January-March 2013.

The industrial producer price index remained at the same level in April 2014 compared to the previous month, while the prices increased by 0.9 percent compared to January-April 2013. The prices increased by 0.1 percent in the oil and gas production in April compared to the previous month and decreased by 1.1 percent compared to January-April 2013.

As of April, the Producer Price Index in manufacturing industry decreased by 0.4 percent.

The producer prices in the field of extraction of stone, sand, salt, gravel and other products of extractive industry decreased by 6.3 percent last month. The growth of producer prices in mining of metal ores in April amounted to three percent, while 0.1 percent in the oil and natural gas extraction.

The producer prices in wood processing and production of wood products fell by 5.8 percent, in the production of rubber and plastic products - by 4.1 percent , fabricated metal products - 3.8 percent , tobacco products - 0.9 percent , petroleum products and furniture - 0.8 percent , building materials - 0.4 percent , pharmaceutical products - 0.2 percent. The prices increased on the installation and repair of equipment - 3.6 percent , in the weaving industry - three percent, in metallurgy - by 1.6 percent, in the production of food products - 1.2 percent, the chemical industry - one percent, in manufacturing leather and leather goods, footwear - 0.8 percent , paper and cardboard - 0.7 percent.

Average market price and indices of basic food commodities in January-April 2014

Source: Azerbaijani State Statistics Committee