Prices and situation in consumer market in Azerbaijan (january-april 2013)

The Azerbaijani consumer market is developing rapidly (9-10 percent). The retail trade facilities, catering trade points are developing in the country both qualitatively and quantitatively.

According to the State Statistics Committee, in January-April 2013, the Azerbaijani trading networks sold consumer goods to the population at 5.887.7 billion manat, which is 9.4 percent more than in January-April 2012. Legal entities ensured 12.2 percent of trade turnover, individual entrepreneurs - 55.6 percent, fairs and markets - 44.4 percent.

The share of private sector in the retail trade turnover amounted to 99.7 percent. The population bought consumer goods worth 5.872.4 billion manat from the enterprises in January-April 2013 or 9.7 percent more than in the same period of last year.

The Azerbaijani retail trade facilities sold food worth 3.188.6 billion manat with an increase of 2 percent and non-food goods worth 2.699.1 billion manat with a growth of 19.9 percent.

During this period, every citizen of the country acquired consumer goods at 158.8 manat per month.

Food products worth 86 manat, non-food products - worth 72.8 manat fall to every citizen in the country per month.

Paid services worth 1.849 billion manat were rendered to the population during the period, or 7.3 percent more compared to January-April 2012. Legal entities ensured 52.2 percent of this growth and rendered the services worth 1.400.2 billion manat.

In January-April 2013, each citizen bought paid services worth 50 manat per month, or 4.4 manat more than in January-April 2012. Transportation, public utilities and communication services prevail in the structure of paid services. Besides improving the material condition, great using of paid services by the population is associated with the fact that the structure of rendered paid services is being improved. A network of companies is being developed in this sector.

Prices

According to the State Statistics Committee, in April 2013, the prices on consumer goods and tariffs on services increased by 0.4 percent compared to the previous month and by 1.4 percent in January-April 2013 in accordance with January-April 2012.

According to the Azerbaijani Central Bank's forecasts, inflation will be preserved at 5-6 percent by influencing the monetary growth rate by classical regulatory tools in Azerbaijan in 2013.

The food prices increased by 0.8 percent, tariffs for services - by 3.3 percent and non-food goods by 0.4 percent in January-April 2013 compared to January-April 2012.

Food prices increased by 0.9 percent, nonfood goods and tariffs for services remained unchanged in April. In April, the base index of consumer prices, calculated except for the goods and services subject to seasonal changes (fruits and vegetables) and the prices of which are regulated by the state, decreased by 0.2 percent compared to the previous month and increased by 0.4 percent compared to January-April 2012.

The industrial product price index decreased by 5 percent in April 2013 compared to the previous month. The prices decreased by 8.7 percent compared to the same period of last year. The prices in the oil and gas production decreased by 5.7 percent in April compared to the previous month and decreased by 11.4 percent compared to the same period of 2012.

As of April, the Producer Price Index in manufacturing industry decreased by 0.5 percent. The prices in wood processing and wood product manufacturing remained unchanged, clothing increased by 2.2 percent, production of rubber and plastic goods decreased by 0.3 percent.

Prices in the food industry decreased by 1 percent, electrical equipment - remained at the same level, leather products and footwear decreased by 5.3 percent.

Average market price and indices of basic food commodities in January-April 2013

Source: Azerbaijani State Statistics Committee