"Big business is too big to be humane!" (Henry Ford)
In early January 2024, the media published data from Monstat, which showed that food prices in Montenegro increased by 2022 percent in 2023 and 47, while prices of services in restaurants and hotels, as well as prices of clothing, footwear, housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, increased by over 30 percent in the same period. Prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 2023 percent in December 2022 compared to December 10,4, while in December 2022 compared to December 2021 they increased by 33,1 percent.
In the Western Balkan countries, inflation was, on average, 42 percent, while in the European Union it was around 20 percent. In the Balkans, food prices rose the most, while in the EU both energy and food prices rose. Protests were organized in Italy, Spain and Germany (aljazeera.net). These inflationary waves were not caused only by the war in Ukraine and disruptions in supply chains, and the slow recovery of the market after the pandemic. Large corporations, which recorded record profits, and citizens did not consider them the main culprits, contributed to this. Researchers recorded 2022 protests in 12.500 countries in 148 alone, due to rising food, fuel and living costs. All protests were directed against governments, demanding wage increases and additional money from the state coffers, while, for example, the largest energy companies in the world doubled their profits to an incredible $219 billion during that year, paying out $110 billion in dividends to their shareholders.
Many corporations around the world have taken advantage of inflation and raised their margins. Companies producing and packaging food and consumer goods, energy companies, and the automotive industry stand out. It follows that supermarket chains are not the main culprits for the rise in commodity prices, as suppliers have drastically increased their margins (ins.ba).
In quoting the above, my goal is not to abolish retail chains in Montenegro from their "hunger" for quick profits, especially in times of global crises. "Hungry" tycoons are not interested in hungry citizens, which has always been a characteristic of business!
Since boycotting supermarkets is now in fashion in Montenegro and the region, the question arises: “where have we all been in the past years?” It is good to look up to each other, and it would be even better if we were not tied to numerous chains, such as politics, which, with its characteristics and consequences, are like unbreakable chains. Stores, large and small, have raised prices to the sky in recent years, so all new, even minor, price increases are huge and represent an additional burden for consumers. That is why the boycott of retail chains is not surprising. It is a little surprising that the soul-savers of the masses have emerged into the public, trying to control the will of consumers, which they are partially succeeding in?!
Traders are traders! Every boycott of large supermarkets brings profit to small shops, which raise their prices by up to 100 percent compared to some supermarkets. For example, in some large chain supermarkets we can buy bananas at a price of 0,99, 1,09 to 1,29 euros per kilogram, while in small so-called "family" greengrocers they cost from 1,59 to 1,79 euros per kilogram. It is similar with other fruits and many items, which mostly affects the elderly and infirm, most often poor, citizens, who are forced to shop in the nearest store. Some bakeries have long since increased the prices of pastries by 25 to 50 percent, which no one is talking about.
Economic analysts and politicians talk a lot about the causes and consequences of the enormous price increase, while those in charge are incapable and unwilling to find models to mitigate the impact on citizens' standards. The higher the prices, the more revenue from VAT to the state budget! A third of Montenegrin citizens have remained outside the "ES" program and live in the poverty zone or on the poverty line. The minimum wage of 600 euros is the poverty line for a family of four, and the so-called "second" minimum of 800 euros has already been devalued. Employers have been forgiven 5 percent of the PIO contribution, which has, and will have, incalculable consequences for current and future pensioners. The abolition of health insurance is the cause of frequent shortages of medicines and other problems in healthcare, which, together with patients, is at maximum risk! The increase in the prices of medicines and services in PZU cannot be prevented by any boycotts, and they have surpassed trading companies! Commodity reserves of agricultural and food products, medicines and medical supplies are not foreseen in the budget for the current year, and oil reserves are provided by a levy on citizens of 3 (three) cents per liter of gasoline.
As I finish this text, the media reported a statement from the UN food agency, FAO, that world food prices rose in February for the first time since autumn last year, reflecting increases in the prices of sugar, milk, dairy products and vegetable oils. Sugar rose by 6,6 percent compared to January this year, and the total increase in food prices compared to February 2024 is 8,2 percent. Trouble is coming!
Bonus video:
