A consumer basket of 15 items in a small market in Podgorica, the prices of which "Vijesti" has been following for several months, is about 1,1 euros more expensive today compared to May. At that time, a total of 32 euros had to be allocated for these products, and now it is a little more than 33 euros. Compared to the previous month, shopping in a large market is now about 60 cents cheaper and totals 47,14 euros, while there were no major corrections at the Podgorica market, so you should spend less for the same products.
This was shown, among other things, by the data of the monthly price barometer "Vijesti", which monitored the monthly price movements of 15 products in Podgorica's small and large markets and markets. The reporter went to these facilities once a month since September of last year, namely on the 14th of the month, in order to list the prices, monitor their movements and possible price increases or decreases, namely 15 different foods, of the same manufacturer, of identical type and weight, in order to gave a true picture of monthly changes.
Also, in June, for the first time in a large market, a drop in the price of a kilogram of veal was recorded, which became cheaper by 50 cents. According to the data of the Administration for Statistics Monstat, prices in May were on average 4,9 percent higher than in the same month last year. Compared to April, prices were higher by 0,1 percent, while prices of fruit, milk, cheese, eggs, clothing, accommodation services, meat, air transportation had the greatest influence on the growth of monthly inflation...
Cheaper chicken, cucumber, ham...
Compared to the previous month, the price of a kilogram of chicken in a large supermarket has dropped, and now you have to pay 35 cents less, or 8,5 euros. In addition to chicken, cucumber is also cheaper by half a euro, which, compared to the May price of 1,59, now costs 1,09 euros, while pressed ham is ten cents cheaper. Among others, the prices remained the same for milk, yogurt, eggs, toothpaste, dish detergent, fish sticks...
Of the price increases in large stores, the largest is in the case of tomatoes, whose kilogram costs 60 cents more than in the fifth month, that is, one and a half euros. Ten cents is also more expensive than toilet paper, the price of which is now ten cents higher. This article is now more expensive than it was, although in the market that the reporter visits, it was not included in the state promotion "Limited prices" until now.
In total, these items are about 60 cents cheaper today than they were last month and cost a little more than 47 euros. Compared to the beginning of the year, you now have to pay about three euros less for a basket of these items in a supermarket. In January, these products cost 50 euros, while now they are worth a total of 47,14 euros.
On the other hand, in the small store that "Vijesti" visited, for the first time it happened that no price was lowered compared to the month before. Thus, prices remained the same as in May or were increased. Cucumbers are leading among price increases, which are half a euro more expensive than they were in mid-May. Apart from them, the price of tomatoes is about 20 cents higher, while eggs and pressed ham now cost about ten cents more. The prices of chicken, milk and yogurt, toothpaste, bananas and apples remained unchanged...
Compared to January, the purchase of products covered by "Vijesti" in a small store today costs 4,2 euros less than then, that is, a little more than 33 euros.
On the market in June, the only thing that changed was the price of a kilo of bananas, which are now 20 cents cheaper than they were, so they cost one euro. Compared to January, the value of bananas is the same, while tomatoes and cucumbers are 20 cents cheaper than they were. The difference in the trade of all items on the market is the smallest overall, compared to other sales facilities, so compared to January, it is less by about half a euro. Compared to May, the trade of these items is now cheaper by 20 cents.
They respect the state action
Unlike previous visits to "Vijesti", the large retail chain this time adhered to the "Limited Price" action, so the discounted products were properly labeled. The government initially launched the "Limited Prices" campaign at the end of March, when margins were limited in agreement with retailers. There were 43 products on the list, and it is planned that through this campaign, when all weights and manufacturers are taken into account, the prices of 500 items will be reduced. The campaign lasted in this form until May 31, while now it only applies to domestic products.
The campaign "Limited prices" will last until June 30, with the fact that it now only applies to 16 domestic products. As part of the same measures, the limitation of margins for five basic foodstuffs - sugar, flour (T400 and 500), sunflower oil and table salt - will continue, which will make a total of 21 items on sale. These products in markets are marked with a red "Limited price" label.
Margins for domestic products are thus limited to a maximum of ten percent, both in wholesale and retail stores. The margin represents the difference between the selling price and the purchase price of the goods.
"Domestic white cheese - bulk; yogurt - 1 liter; milk with 2,8 percent milk fat without cap - 1 liter; fresh potatoes - unlimited; fresh cabbage - no restrictions; fresh apple - no limit; whole chicken - no restrictions; jam - in packages from 500 grams to 1 kg; fresh eggs from stable cage breeding, class A, sizes S and M - in a package of 10 pieces; tea sausage - bulk; pressed ham - bulk; chicken breast - bulk; sudžuk - bulk; beef tea - bulk; chicken hot dogs - no limit; dry pork bacon - bulk", it says in the Government's list of domestic products.
Basic groceries cheaper even after June
The Minister of Economic Development, Nik Đeljošaj, said at a press conference at the end of May that the margins for five basic foodstuffs (sugar, flour, oil, salt) will probably remain limited after July 1.
These margins are currently five percent in wholesale and seven percent in retail.
Đeljošaj emphasized that, as before, he will monitor and analyze the situation, after which he will make a decision on the extension of the "Limited Price" campaign. He also announced that he will check how traders react to the measures and that controls will be daily.
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