Markets in the region are well supplied, prices vary depending on the offer and season, and are usually slightly higher than in markets.
The prices are especially high for seasonal fruits - cherries, peaches, figs... So, for example, you need to pay up to six euros for a kilogram of cherries, and the price is the same in supermarkets.
However, a number of citizens prefer to buy at markets, because they believe that fruits and vegetables are fresher and mostly domestic, that is, they are not damaged during long transport during importation.
The price of bananas, apples, tomatoes and cucumbers on the Podgorica market remained the same or was lower than it was in September last year. The largest drop in value was recorded by tomatoes, which today cost a euro, which is 50 cents less than ten months ago.
Bananas also cost a euro on the market, and their price has not changed in relation to the ninth month of 2023. Apple lovers have to pay 1,20 euros per kilogram of golden delicacies, but that is also 20 cents less than before. Cucumbers, which also cost a euro, have become cheaper.
In September of last year, the purchase of these foods cost a total of 5,1 euros, while for the same store today you need to allocate 90 cents less, that is, 4,2 euros. Common to these fruits and vegetables is the fact that their prices rose slightly during the winter, which can be explained by the fact that neither bananas, nor tomatoes, nor cucumbers and apples were in season.
"Vijesti" obtained these data from the price barometer, which monitors 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, and products of the same manufacturer, of identical type and weight, and on the same counters, in order to gave a real picture of monthly changes. In addition, the prices of fruits and vegetables were recorded on June 20. in a large market and market, but without haggling with sellers.
The Podgorica market that the reporter visits is well equipped and offers a wide selection of fruits, vegetables and other foodstuffs, but it has a big difference in prices compared to the mega market. When it comes to a small store, only cucumbers are cheaper in it compared to the market.
The biggest difference in price was recorded in the case of green salad, which is 1,3 euros more expensive at the stalls visited compared to the big store. Lettuce on the market currently costs three euros per kilogram. In addition to it, onion in feathers costs three euros, which is 90 cents more expensive than in a large market.
In addition to those vegetables, Swiss chard is also cheaper by one euro in a larger store, which costs two euros on the market. Watermelon is also significantly more expensive per kilogram, which costs one euro per kilogram on the market, while its price in the market is 60 cents. Peppers and new potatoes are about ten cents more expensive, and at the market you need to spend 1,5 euros, that is, 60 to 80 cents. Cabbage, which costs 20 cents, is about 25 cents cheaper in the market.
On the other hand, a kilogram of nectarines on the market costs one and a half euros, and they are about 70 cents cheaper than in a large store, while peaches cost 20 cents less, for which you have to pay 1,5 euros. Bananas and tomatoes on the market cost one euro each, which is still half a euro less than their price in the mega market. Apart from them, 50 cents is also cheaper than green beans, which cost one and a half euros. This is also the price of onions, which are about 80 cents cheaper on the market.
A kilogram of lemons on the market costs 1 euro, which is significantly cheaper than the market price of 1,8 euros. Zucchini, whose market price is 30 cents, are about 50 cents cheaper.
The average April salary in Montenegro, according to the data of the Administration for Statistics Monstat, was 828 euros.
Consumer prices in May were higher by 0,1 percent compared to April.
According to the same data, inflation in May was 4,9 percent compared to the same month last year.
"The biggest impact on the inflation rate was the increase in prices in the groups fruit, milk, cheese and eggs, clothing, accommodation services, meat, air passenger transport, bread and cereals, fish and seafood...", Monstat announced.
It's too expensive for tourists too, but people are still looking for locals!
The "Markale" market in the very center of Sarajevo was never considered the cheapest place in the city, but the prices of groceries have recently become astronomical, which is a statement that customers already make by inertia, and which, somewhat reluctantly, they "sign" and sellers:
"If you ask me about the prices - the prices are too high!", she complained Amra Kisic, a saleswoman at the "Markale" market.
"When foreigners say it is expensive, what will our people say? Now, while there are tourists there is more work than usual, and when there are none - a disaster! Decay," she added.
What represents a positive (and for many decisive) factor is the presence of Bosnian products on the market stalls, which causes the price to drop, but is also attractive to customers who feel satisfied knowing that they are supporting the local economy, and for this reason choose food from the market over cheaper alternatives.
"I buy the most at the market, and especially at this market - this is my market, precious," she told us. Ana Bjeloš, a frequent customer at "Markale".
"I always buy homemade, I feel good when I buy and because of who produces it. It somehow seems to me to be a nice service and I thank whoever produces and who cares for us", she added.
"For most of the last days, domestic prices have been arriving - and prices are falling - as soon as they arrive, domestic prices go down," he said Midhat Gani, a frequent visitor and former employee of the "Markale" market.
Among all the domestic items, he emphasized the quality of the "open" cherries from Popovo polje, as well as the domestic cucumbers and tomatoes, which he stated lower the price by their presence on the stands. He also pointed out that prices are high compared to incomes. And what exactly are the prices, we found out from the conversation with the sellers.
Prices of tomatoes of the "ox heart" variety range from 4 to 6 KM (about 3 euros) per kilogram, while cherry tomatoes go up to 10 KM, and cucumber prices range from about 5 KM. Watermelon, which is in great demand, starts at 2-2,5 KM per kilogram, a basket of raspberries (about 250g) costs around 3 KM, a basket of currants at 5 KM, and blueberries up to 9 KM. Also interesting is the presence of black mulberry, as a slightly less common fruit, which is sold at 3 KM per basket. Peaches are 5 KM, and apricots 10 KM per kilogram.
The prices of "rotten" red cherries range from 8 to 10 KM per kilogram, while autochthonous "ashlams" are slightly cheaper - about 6 KM per kilogram. On the market, they also offer items such as bananas (4 KM/kg) and kiwis (5 KM/kg), which are strictly imported from tropical countries.
Judging by the sentiments of all participants at the "Markale" market, one thing is certain - the presence of fresh products from Bosnia and Herzegovina benefits everyone, sellers, tourists, farmers and wallets! Market self-sufficiency in this regard is perhaps the best way to get out of the vicious circle of high prices on the green market.
Weak sales despite crowds
The beginning of summer always brings colorfulness to the markets, because they are full of different fruits and vegetables. However, the prices are also colorful.
Prices are generally higher at the entrance, while if you go deeper into the market you can find products at better prices, but sometimes the quality is questionable.
Although the markets are crowded these days and a large number of people are circulating, we learn from the conversation with the sellers that sales are not going so well.
They complain that there are people, but little is bought.
Also, they emphasize worse sales during such high temperatures, which were recorded in Serbia these days, and which reached up to 40 degrees.
As for the fruit and vegetable offer itself, it is the most diverse, and the prices vary, but not excessively.
The difference in price is noticeable with raspberries, which can be found at a price of 500, but also 700 dinars (slightly less than 6 euros) per kilogram.
Plums range from 100 to 200 dinars, apricots from 200 to 250, peaches from 120 to 200, and nectarines from 120 to 300 dinars.
Cherries are mostly at the level between 150 and 200, while cherries are on average around 250 dinars.
When we talk about vegetables, tomatoes can be found at a price of 150 to 200 dinars, while cucumbers range between 100 and 150.
Red pepper is currently on average 400 dinars on the market, while green pepper is 200.
Both red and white potatoes cost around 100 dinars on average, as well as onions, which can be found for less money. On average, a bunch of spring onions costs about 60 dinars.
As for cabbage, it is generally priced at around 80 dinars, lettuce is around 100 dinars, as well as carrots.
As for other products, according to the data of the Republic Institute of Statistics (RZS), the average price of domestic cheese on the markets in Belgrade is around 600 dinars.
However, according to the data of the portal Pijace.com, it is necessary to allocate 1.500 dinars for cream. As for fatty white cheese, it costs around 800 dinars, while semi-fat is around 700 dinars.
The most common price of eggs in our markets is around 22 dinars per piece.
According to RZS data, the most common price of fresh chicken meat in the markets is about 319 dinars.
If we compare all this with the prices in the markets, it seems that it is not so convenient to get most of the food in the markets. However, with consumers, in addition to the price, the quality of the product often prevails.
President of the Consumer Association "Efektiva" Dejan Gavrilovic confirms that fruit in stores is generally cheaper, but that the quality is questionable.
"It is better to buy, for example, cherries from a market seller, even though it is more expensive and consumers know it," he states.
He explains that a colorful range of prices can be found on the market.
"Fruit that is of lower quality is cheaper, that of better quality is more expensive. So the question arises as to what the consumer wants. It is often better to give more money in order to eat better quality fruit or vegetables", believes Gavrilović.
He appeals to merchants not to sell goods if they know they are not valid.
"Traders should have a certain responsibility and not sell products that are not as they should be and thus mislead consumers," Gavrilović points out.
One of the advantages is that the sellers at the market often allow you to try some of the products, says our interlocutor, while this is not possible in the store.
President of the Association of Market Workers "Opstanak" Srđan Praštalo he says for "Danas" that this is generally the part of the year when traffic drops.
"Business in the markets is in decline during this period because the city is slowly emptying and people are going on vacation," he explains.
As for the prices of fruits and vegetables in the markets, Praštalo says that they are similar to last year and that there are not many differences.
According to him, market sellers have big problems when it's hot like this.
"It is very difficult to work in the heat, and most of the vendors in the markets are over 60 years old, and they have to sell outside in such high temperatures," he points out.
In addition, as he reminds, markets generally have a very short active trading period.
That period is mostly only in the morning. "From 11 o'clock, when the heat starts, there is no one anywhere," emphasizes Praštalo.
The heat certainly turns off buyers, he points out.
"Nobody wants to go anywhere in such high temperatures. That is why markets should strive to adapt. Today, people have many more choices, and why would they go to a place that is not cooled at plus 40 degrees", says Praštalo.
That's why customers, at this time of the year, he says, are more likely to go to the market, because they are looking for the best and most pleasant experience possible.
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