According to the State Statistics Committee, as of January-March 2016, the Azerbaijani consumer market amounted to 8.826 billion manat, which is 3.2 percent more than its turnover for the same period of 2015. The monthly consumer expenses are estimated at 306.5 manat per capita in January-March 2016 or by 37.5 manat more compared to January-March 2015.
The Azerbaijani trading networks sold consumer goods to the population at 6.793 billion manat in January-March 2016, which is 3.4 percent more than in the same period of 2015. Legal entities ensured 11.1 percent of trade turnover.
The monthly retail trade turnover amounted to 235.9 manat, which is 33.55 manat more than in January-March 2015.
The food trade (3.430 billion manat) increased by 4.8 percent from year to year in January-March 2016, while retail sales of non-food items (3.363 billion manat) - by 1.9 percent.
Paid services worth 1.785 billion manat were rendered to the population in January-March 2016 or 2.4 percent more compared to January-March 2015. Legal entities ensured 68.2 percent of this growth and rendered the services worth 1.314 billion manat or by 2.2 percent more than in 2015.
Over this period, every citizen of the country used paid services at 185.9 manat per month, which is 9.3 manat more than in January-March 2015.
Transportation, public utilities and communication services prevail in the structure of paid services.
Prices
According to the State Statistics Committee, inflation in the country amounted to 10.8 percent in January-March 2016 compared to January-March 2015.
The food prices increased by 13.1 percent, non-food items - 15.2 percent and tariffs for services - 4 percent in January-March 2016 compared to January-March 2015.
Such a high rate of inflation in the country was the result of the impact of national currency devaluation.
The prices on consumer goods increased by 0.4 percent in Azerbaijan in March 2016 compared to February 2016.
The food prices increased by 0.3 percent, non-food items - 0.5 percent, tariffs for services - 0.5 percent in Azerbaijan in March 2016 compared to February.
The prices on fish and dairy products, butter and vegetable oil, sugar and granulated sugar, lemons, oranges, tangerines, apples, pears, bananas, quince, pomegranates, persimmons, chestnuts, cucumbers, tomatoes, cabbages, eggplants, sweet peppers, beets, carrots, potatoes, onions, garlic, greens, alcoholic beverages increased in Azerbaijan within a month.
Prices on other food products were not greatly changed.
The prices on fabrics, clothes and shoes, data processing equipment, audio and video recorders, electronic goods, carpets and other floor coverings, glass products, dishes and cutlery, detergents, medicines, cars and spare parts, stationery and jewelry increased.
Prices on other non-food items were not greatly changed.
The base index of consumer prices, calculated except for the goods and services subject to seasonal changes (fruits and vegetables) increased by 12.2 percent in January-March 2016 compared to January-March 2015.
The industrial producer price index increased by 18.2 percent in Azerbaijan in March 2016 compared to February 2016. A 9.8 percent growth was observed compared to January-March 2015.
During this period, producer prices in the mining industry increased by 21.4 percent and by 5.7 percent in the manufacturing industry.