A kilogram of homemade cheese became cheaper by about 32 cents, a liter of yogurt by 30 cents, a liter of permanent milk in a tetrapack and fresh milk by 10 cents, table margarine is cheaper by 27 cents, chicken pate by 33 cents, a kilogram of potatoes by 10 cents, beans by 31 cents, a jar of jam for about 12 cents, a pack of 40 baby diapers for 70 cents, an abrasive cleaner for 17 cents...
This was confirmed by "Vijesti" reporters who visited the largest markets in Podgorica yesterday for the second time, in order to list the value of some items and continuously monitor them after the Government's Decision on limiting margins on certain products officially came into force yesterday.
The prices are listed in "Our discount store" of the company "Voli" in Zabjelo, the supermarket of the company "Hard Discount Laković" in the same neighborhood, as well as in the hypermarket "Idea super" in the shopping center "Mall of Montenegro". Reporters recorded 66 prices in each of these three stores, but the list was not fully complied with because some products were missing. The same products were listed last week after the Government adopted this decision, about which "Vijesti" also provides a tabular presentation.
On August 28, the government adopted a decision according to which it will limit the margins for 66 food and hygiene products in wholesale and retail stores, and compared to the earlier action "Limited prices", the list of products includes fruits, vegetables, a few more types of meat and groceries for personal hygiene. The new state action will begin eight days after its publication in the Official Gazette, and will last until January 31 of the following year.
The action includes the same products and weights of several manufacturers.
The earlier measure, which limits the margins for five basic foodstuffs, to five percent in the wholesale trade and five percent in the retail trade, remains in force. That list includes wheat flour (type 400 and 500), granulated sugar, edible sunflower oil and kitchen salt, regardless of their weight.
Margins for the food sector in wholesale and retail stores are limited to 10 percent, while for hygiene products they are limited to a maximum of 10 percent in wholesale and 15 percent in retail.
Margin is the difference between the purchase and sale price of goods.
Most of the citizens yesterday were not in the mood to make statements about the Government's action, and during a tour of the market, reporters were convinced that there were more customers than the previous week when the prices were not lowered. A few people managed to make a positive remark about the government's action.
It has been officially announced by the Government that all products that have been reduced have been marked separately.
"Citizens can report all irregularities by calling the toll-free number 080 555 555 or by clicking on the link - https://www.gov.me/akcija in the Reporting irregularities section," the government explained, noting that the action will include more than 1.000 items.
The government did not consult the Chamber of Commerce, part of the trade chains and two employers' associations about the new action to limit margins, and the day before yesterday they pointed out that the measure lacks economic analysis, social dialogue, that it will damage the business and competitive environment, create negative consequences for companies, that the measures have elements of populism...
Part of the traders told "Vijesta" that they will comply with the new state action, but that they believe that their margins are not the main reason for high prices in Montenegro.
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