According to the State Statistics Committee, as of January-July 2016, the Azerbaijani consumer market amounted to 20.834 billion manat, which is 1.8 percent more than its turnover for the same period of 2015. The monthly consumer expenses are estimated at 309.6 manat per capita in January-July 2016 or by 33.7 manat more compared to January-July 2015.
The Azerbaijani trading networks sold consumer goods to the population at 16.169 billion manat in January-July 2016, which is 2 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 240.3 manat, which is 30.2 manat more than in January-July 2015.
In January-July 2016 the food trade (7.998 billion manat) increased by 2.8 percent from year to year, while retail sales of non-food items (8.172 billion manat) - by 0.6 percent.
The commodity market in the country is developing mainly due to inflationary factors.
Paid services worth 4.037 billion manat were rendered to the population in January-July 2016 or 1.1 percent more compared to January-July 2015. Legal entities ensured 51 percent of this growth and rendered the services worth 2.979 billion manat or by 0.7 percent more than in 2015.
Over this period, every citizen of the country acquired paid goods at 419.9 manat per month, which is 18.5 manat more than in January-July 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 10.6 percent in January-July 2016 compared to January-July 2015.
The food prices increased by 12 percent, non-food items – 15.5 percent and tariffs for services – 4.7 percent in January-July 2016.
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 0.3 percent in Azerbaijan in July 2016 compared to June 2016.
The food prices decreased by 1.6 percent, non-food items increased by 0.2 percent, tariffs for services – 0.2 percent in Azerbaijan in July 2016 compared to June 2016.
The prices on buckwheat, oats, barley, poultry, butter and vegetable oil, lemons, sugar, strawberries, cherries, greens, garlic, onions increased in Azerbaijan for the month. The prices on macaroni, fish, raw milk, eggs, apples, pears, bananas, cherry-plums, peaches, plums, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, carrots, beets, peppers, green beans, cabbages, potatoes, tobacco decreased. The prices on other food products were not greatly changed.
The prices on fabrics, clothes and shoes, building materials, jewelry, furniture and household goods, carpets and other floor coverings, glass products, dishes and cutlery, household appliances, TV sets, computers, telephones and cameras increased in July. Other non-food items were not greatly changed.
The new tariffs for electricity were set in Azerbaijan in July. According to the Azerbaijani Tariff (Price) Council, the wholesale price of one kWh of electric power has reached 0.043 manat and the retail price - 0.07 manat / kWh since July 15.
The base index of consumer prices, calculated except for the goods and services subject to seasonal changes (fruits and vegetables) increased by 12.1 percent in January-July 2016 compared to January-July 2015.
The industrial producer price index increased by 3.2 percent in Azerbaijan in July 2016 compared to June 2016. An 8.9 percent growth was observed compared to January-July 2015.
During this period, producer prices in the mining industry increased by 4.2 percent and by 0.9 percent in the manufacturing industry for the month.