Trade in large supermarket chains across Montenegro is currently the most expensive in Budva, where 13 items of basic weight, the prices of which "Vijesti" recorded, cost 37,8 euros. However, the second most expensive of the shopping chains visited, on the opposite side of the country, was in Pljevlja, where the same consumer basket cost about 30 cents less, or 37,5 euros.
Those in Tivat who have to pay 37 euros for these products can shop even more favorably, while during the summer tourist season, a slightly more favorable shop was in Podgorica, where 36 euros should be allocated for this basket. However, there are also significant differences within the cities, so the prices in the market in the center of Podgorica are the same as in the market of that company in Budva, while the prices in the markets of the same pot on the outskirts of the capital are significantly lower.
These are some of the results of the research that "Vijesti" reporters conducted in several cities, where in the north, south and central part of the country, they went to the markets of the same large retail chain, listed the prices of identical items, manufacturers and weights, in order to determine what are the real differences for consumers by region.
Prices in June of this year, according to the data of the Monstat Administration of Statistics, were 4,1 percent higher than in the same month last year. June prices of personal consumption products and services were also officially 0,1 percent higher on average than in May, while 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, oils...
The capital city is the best for the pocket
As expected, Budva leads in terms of prices, especially shampoo, which costs 2,99 euros, that is, 30 cents more than in Pljevlja and Tivat. The same shampoo in Podgorica costs 2,59 euros, which means that this product is about 40 cents more expensive in Budva. In this coastal municipality, you have to pay more for a kilogram of tomatoes, for which you have to allocate almost two euros, while in other cities it is cheaper by 10 to 30 cents.
The biggest recorded difference is in the case of a kilo of nectarines, which are half a euro cheaper in Podgorica than in Budva. Thus, for them in Budva it is necessary to pay 2,79 euros, while the same costs 2,29 in the capital city. In addition, in Budva you have to pay 100 to 10 cents more for 20 grams of coffee, i.e. one and a half euros, while in other cities it is around 1,3 euros.
Primorje is significantly more expensive, especially when it comes to watermelons, so consumers in Budva and Tivat pay twice as much for this refreshment compared to Podgorica and Pljevlja, 50 cents instead of 25 cents.
In terms of the overall price level, Pljevlja is not far behind either, where compared to other cities, a kilogram of Buda sausage stands out, costing 60 cents more, i.e. 14,59 euros. In other municipalities, the price is around 14 euros. A liter of milk with a cap is also more expensive in Pljevlja, and you have to pay 10 cents more for it. The highest price of macaroni was also recorded in this city, which is 25 cents more expensive than in the others, where they cost 1,19 euros. A can of beer is also 10 cents more expensive than in the rest of the country, which costs 1,15 euros in Pljevlja.
On the other hand, coffee in this municipality, as well as in Podgorica, has the lowest price compared to the coast. Among the items whose prices are the same regardless of city and region are water and pate, and they cost 0,59 and 0,85 euros, respectively.
Costs drive up prices in the south
That there are differences, the "Vijesti" team found out by reading the catalog of discounts published by retailers, in which they state that the discounts are valid only in certain municipalities, that is, all those that are not in the coastal part of the country. "Vijesti" asked these retail chains why they don't have discounts for those who live in the coastal part of Montenegro, and the company "Voli" answered that the main culprit is business costs.
"Taking into account the higher costs we have in coastal facilities: (apart from higher rental costs), we note a significant increase in the team during the season, there is also the cost of increased employee wages, increased costs of transport and logistics, as well as other costs, we are forced to adjust to this business strategy. The next campaign "Get discounts" will cover the entire market chain", the company said.
"Vijesti" also asked other large retail chains about the differences in prices and discounts by region, from which they expect answers.
The assessment that life in Montenegro is expensive can be heard regularly, especially during the summer tourist season. Also, since July, there has been no state action to reduce inflation and preserve citizens' standards, while on July 22 the Government returned the earlier measure limiting trade margins to five basic foodstuffs. Thus, margins on wheat flour types 400 and 500, granulated sugar, sunflower oil and table salt are now limited to five percent in the wholesale trade, and to seven percent in the retail trade. Margin is the difference between the purchase and sale price of goods.
The hand of the state is necessary
The Union of Free Trade Unions (USSCG) told "Vijesta" that they believe that new state actions and assistance are urgently needed for the purchasing power of citizens. They pointed out that the last state action of "limited prices" definitely slowed down inflation and maintained the price levels of food products.
The government initiated this measure at the end of March, when the margins were limited to 43 products in agreement with retailers, and it was planned that, when all weights and manufacturers were taken into account, the prices of 500 items would be reduced. The campaign lasted in this form until May 31, after which it was extended for another month, but it only applied to 16 domestic products.
"According to the views of USSCG, this action should not have been interrupted, bearing in mind the growing trend of inflationary movements. Montenegro is a country that relies on tourism, and the budget receives the most revenue during the third quarter (July, August, September), which was probably the reason why the government ended the action to limit margins before the start of the tourist season. The margin-limiting action may not have produced the expected results, probably because the number of items was eventually reduced to 500 even though 5.000 were initially announced, but it contributed to the 'stagnation' of prices of basic life products, as well as products of the greatest importance to households ", they emphasized.
Wages increase in vain if prices run wild
When asked how this measure could be improved in the future, USSCG stated that one of the solutions would be to include the 135 products in their trade union consumer basket (SPK) in the planned action, which, as they say, would include foods that citizens use the most. Through the SPK, the Union, among other things, calculates the amount needed by a four-member family to meet food and drink needs on a monthly basis.
They also emphasized that every action that contributes to an even better standard of citizens is useful and that they try to share ideas with decision makers.
"With a certain expansion of the number of items as well as through more rigorous control by the competent authorities, we believe that the action can help a lot in suppressing inflation, which in Montenegro is still twice as high as compared to the average of EU countries. If the decision-makers do not get involved as much as possible, and the inspection bodies do not do their job, then as a society we are once again lagging behind progress. In vain, the continuation of the "Europe Now 2" program will increase the wages of employees, if we allow price increases again, which will destroy everything and set us back. That's why, once again, let's underline that it is of crucial importance for the Government to make dedicated and effective use of all inflation protection mechanisms so that the standard of living does not collapse, that is, so that finally as a society we start to live a better life, a life worthy of a human being", they stated. from the Union.
A new action is coming
The work on the new decision on limiting margins is nearing the end, and it will cover more items than through the "Limited Prices" action, the Minister of Economic Development announced the day before yesterday. Nick Djelosaj.
This announcement came ten days after the Prime Minister Milojko Spajic in Pljevlja, emphasized that the Government is planning a new action to limit margins that would be applied from September, in order to preserve the standard of citizens.
"The drafting of the Decision is nearing the end and will include more articles than the previous decision 'Limited prices' and will be applied after the legal procedures have been carried out, adopted by the Government and published in the Official Gazette. Our goal is to use modern and European methods to achieve the flourishing of the standard of living of our citizens and full economic development", it was announced from Đeljošaje's cabinet.
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Prices from the rack are often not valid at the checkout
That the citizens on the coast feel the burden of rising prices more than in other parts of Montenegro, claims the readers of "Vijesti", who complained to the editorial office about their increases, but also point out that they are almost used to price increases. In one of the letters, it is stated that in Herceg Novi, it happens that the same products with different prices are on the shelves, while upon arrival at the cash register, different prices are highlighted again, which is considered to deceive consumers.
"Specifically in the center of Herceg Novi, a 700-gram 'nutella' is a little over nine euros on one shelf and more than 10 euros on another. "Vitaminka" apricot jam on the shelf has a special price of 3,55 euros, and at the cash register it is 4,05 euros. Also, there are markets where the number of purchased products is entered incorrectly, to the detriment of consumers. Market inspections are on vacation or work only upon registration in selected markets. This situation is a kind of violence against consumers, who are completely powerless to protect themselves. It is not easy for the local population to survive the season in the coastal towns with this behavior of the merchants. And most importantly, this is proof that our country is in chaos, that anyone can do what they want," the reader said in the letter.
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