According to the State Statistics Committee, as of January-May 2016, the Azerbaijani consumer market amounted to 14.184 billion manat, which is 1.8 percent more than its turnover for the same period of 2015. The monthly consumer expenses are estimated at 295.3 manat per capita in January-May 2016 or by 31.6 manat more compared to January-May 2015.
According to the State Statistics Committee, the Azerbaijani trading networks sold consumer goods to the population at 10.999 billion manat in January-May 2016, which is 1.9 percent more than in the same period of 2015. Legal entities ensured 11.3 percent of trade turnover.
The monthly retail trade turnover amounted to 229 manat, which is 28.2 manat more than in January-May 2015.
The food trade (5.479 billion manat) increased by 2.5 percent in January-May 2016, while retail sales of non-food items (5.520 billion manat) - by 0.7 percent from year to year.
The commodity market in the country is developing mainly due to inflationary factors.
Paid services worth 2.768 billion manat were rendered to the population in January-May 2016 or 1.4 percent more compared to January-May 2015. Legal entities ensured 64.7 percent of this growth and rendered the services worth 2.041 billion manat or by 1.2 percent more than in 2015.
Over this period, every citizen of the country acquired paid goods at 288.1 manat per month, which is 12.7 manat more than in January-May 2015.
Transportation, public utilities and communication services prevail in the structure of paid services.
According to the Azerbaijani Tariff Council, the tariffs on the water supply and wastewater services have been reconsidered since May 16.
According to the new tariffs, a cubic meter of water for the cities of Baku, Sumgayit, Khirdalan and Absheron district including VAT will cost 0.35 manat (previous tariff - 0.30 manat). The tariff will be 0.30 manat per one cubic meter of water for the population of other administrative-territorial units (versus the current price of 0.25 manat).
The tariffs remained unchanged for other consumer groups (excluding population). Currently, a cubic meter of water for these groups is one manat in all districts of the country.
Prices
According to the State Statistics Committee, inflation in the country amounted to 10.4 percent in January-May 2016 compared to January-May 2015.
The food prices increased by 11.9 percent, non-food items – 15.3 percent and tariffs for services – 4.4 percent in January-May 2016 compared to January-May 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 decreased by 0.1 percent in Azerbaijan in May 2016 compared to April 2016.
The food prices decreased by 0.7 percent, non-food items increased by 0.3 percent, tariffs for services – 0.2 percent in Azerbaijan in May 2016 compared to April 2016.
The prices for rice, buckwheat, chicken, sausages, eggs, butter and olive oil, sugar and granulated sugar, oranges, tangerines, lemons, bananas, apples, pears, carrots and beets increased in May.
The prices for pasta, lamb, beef, unpasteurized milk, plums, strawberry, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, sweat peppers, green beans, cabbages, potatoes, onions, garlic and greens decreased.
Moreover, the prices for fabrics, clothing and shoes, building materials, jewelry, furniture and household items, carpets and other floor coverings, glassware, dishware, gas stoves, electric ovens and air conditioners increased in May.
The prices for TV sets, computers, refrigerators, washing machines, cars and spare parts decreased.
The tariffs for water and wastewater services (sewerage) increased, while tariffs for passenger transportation by planes and trains decreased in May.
The base index of consumer prices, calculated except for the goods and services subject to seasonal changes (fruits and vegetables) increased by 12 percent in January-May 2016 compared to January-May 2015.
The industrial producer price index increased by 9.8 percent in Azerbaijan in May 2016 compared to April 2016. A 7.0 percent growth was observed compared to January-May 2015.
During this period, producer prices in the mining industry increased by 11.3 percent and by 4.2 percent in the manufacturing industry for the month.
The producer prices for oil and gas production increased by 11.4 percent, while mining of metal ore - decreased by 2.9 percent in May. The producer prices remained unchanged in the production of other products compared to April.
The producer prices in the production of rubber and plastic products increased by 8.6 percent, production of oil products - by 7.1 percent, chemicals - by 6.1 percent, the weaving industry - three percent, production of clothing – 2.2 percent, the production of food products - by 2.1 percent, the printing industry - 0.5 percent, and the production of electrical appliances - by 0.2 percent.
The prices in leather production, leather goods and shoes decreased by 3.6 percent, metallurgy - by 2.1 percent, beverage production - 0.7 percent and the production of construction materials - by 0.1 percent in May.
Producer prices in other kinds of activity in the manufacturing industry remained unchanged.
Producer prices for agricultural products in Azerbaijan decreased by 10 percent in January-May 2016 compared to the same period of 2015.
During the reporting period, the producer prices for vegetable products declined by 20.9 percent. The producer prices for livestock increased by 1.4 percent.
The producer prices for vegetable products decreased by 1.8 percent, while the producer prices for livestock increased by 0.3 percent in May compared to April 2016.
During this period, the prices for cucumbers, tomatoes, beans and cabbage decreased. The prices for tea and apples increased.
The prices for milk, goat meat and mutton decreased, while the producer prices for eggs, pork and poultry meat increased in May.
The prices for the rest livestock and vegetable production remained unchanged.