Results of the multi-month price barometer "Vijesti": Large market more favorable without government actions

A basket of 15 items, the prices of which "Vijesti" has been following for months, costs 80 cents less in a large store than in May, and is about ten cents lower than in November 2023.

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There are no more active state actions in Montenegro: (Illustration), Photo: BORIS PEJOVIC
There are no more active state actions in Montenegro: (Illustration), Photo: BORIS PEJOVIC
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

The prices in the Podgorica supermarket are slightly lower compared to November last year and May this year, when the state promotions were in effect. July is the cheapest of these three observed months, and officially the first since mid-2022, in which no state measures to prevent inflation and protect citizens' standards are in force.

Thus, a consumer basket of 15 products, the prices of which "Vijesti" has been monitoring for months, costs 47,04 euros in a supermarket in July, which is about ten cents less than in November 2023, when during the duration of the "Stop Inflation" action, these items cost a total of 47,15 , 80 euros. The same basket cost about 47,88 cents more than now, i.e. XNUMX euros, in May, while the margins were limited within the "Limited Prices" campaign.

In Montenegro, none of the earlier benefits for citizens are officially applied anymore, that is, neither "Stop inflation", "Limited prices", nor the limitation of margins for basic foodstuffs.

These are some of the results shown by the "Vijesti" monthly price barometer, 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, track their movements and possible 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.

This time, the data was recorded on July 16, because the 14th and 15th were non-working days for the economy.

Fish sticks euro more than last year

Today, a kilogram of veal is 50 cents cheaper in supermarkets than it was in May of this year and November of last year, and costs 14,49 euros. In addition, the price of chicken is also lower for one euro compared to last year, i.e. 35 cents lower than in May, so it costs 8,5 euros. Tomatoes are also cheaper by about 30 cents, so now you have to pay 1,39 euros per kilogram.

The price of yogurt is 1,29 euros, the same as it was in May, but it is still ten cents more than in November, when the action "Stop Inflation" was in effect, and when it cost 1,19 euros. At that time, toilet paper was also on sale, which cost 2,29 euros, which is also about 20 cents cheaper than its current price. This product now costs 2,45 euros.

The value of a liter of milk, eggs and dish detergent did not change in the monitored months.

Of the price increases compared to November, the largest was recorded in the case of fish sticks, which instead of 1,83 euros at the time, now cost 2,85 euros. Compared to November, bananas are 30 cents more expensive, so now you have to pay one and a half euros per kilogram. Bananas now have to be paid about ten cents more than in May.

The prices in the small market were the lowest of the monitored months in May. At that time, 33,66 euros had to be paid for the consumer basket, while now it is necessary to allocate 34,78 euros. This store was the most expensive in November, when the basket cost 35,89 euros. Chicken in a small shop is one euro cheaper today than in November, while tomatoes cost 80 cents less, and you have to pay 1,39 euros. Compared to the same month, eggs are about 20 cents cheaper, while kalodont costs 30 cents less.

The biggest price increase in small shops compared to the tenth month of 2023 is 40 cents, and that is in the case of fish sticks, the price of which is now almost three euros. In addition, a kilogram of bananas will damage the pocket by 30 cents more, and yogurt and chocolate cost 30 cents each, tomatoes cost 20 cents, while ham is about ten cents more expensive. The prices of a kilogram of apples and dish detergent remained unchanged compared to November.

There were no significant price increases compared to May, but eggs and pressed ham went up by ten cents and toilet paper by 20 cents, while a kilogram of tomatoes costs 20 cents more.

Buying fruits and vegetables at market stalls that "Vijesti" follows cost 4,2 euros in July, which is half a euro cheaper than in November 2023. Compared to May, prices are lower by 20 cents in total. Bananas cost the same as in November, so you need to pay a euro for them, and tomatoes and cucumbers cost the same, which are 20 cents cheaper than in the tenth month of last year. The price of a kilogram of apples is also ten cents lower.

The price of veal at the market visited by the reporter has not changed since the beginning of the research, i.e. since September 2023.

In Montenegro, none of the earlier benefits for citizens are officially applied anymore, that is, neither "Stop inflation", "Limited prices", nor the limit of margins for basic foodstuffs

Consumer prices in June of this year, according to the data of the Administration for Statistics Monstat, were 4,1 percent higher than in the same month last year. June prices of personal consumption products and services were on average 0,1 percent higher than in May. The biggest impact on monthly inflation was the increase in the prices of accommodation services, fruit, meat, milk, eggs, cheese, air transportation, coffee, tea, soft drinks, juices, oil...

There are no more actions

The first day of 2024 also marked the end of the "Stop Inflation" campaign, which started in March last year and lasted until July, and then had the continuation of "100+", which was in effect from October to December 31.

With this action, prices have been reduced for more than 100 items, including consumer goods, medicines, white goods, dairy and meat products, pasta, sweets, juices, baby food, shampoo, soap, baths...

Milojko Spajić's government then launched the "Limited Prices" campaign at the end of March, when margins are limited in agreement with retailers. Margin is the difference between the selling and purchasing price of goods.

There were 43 products on the list, and it is planned that 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, and was then extended until the end of June, but it only applied to domestically produced products.

As of July 1, limited margins for basic products (flour, sugar, oil and salt) are no longer in force in Montenegro, and this measure has been in effect since June 2022.

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