NGO blames bread price hike on ‘atmosphere of impunity and arbitrary rule’
24.01.2011,
19:56
An Armenian non-governmental organization said today bread prices in the capital Yerevan have surged an average of 20 percent over the last 30 days.
YEREVAN, January 24. / ARKA /. An Armenian non-governmental organization said today bread prices in the capital Yerevan have surged an average of 20 percent over the last 30 days. The figure was unveiled by Armen Poghosian, chairman of the Armenian Consumers Association, who blamed it on the ‘atmosphere of impunity and arbitrary rule on the local foods market.’
Speaking at a news conference, he said the Armenian Consumers Association had monitored bread prices in Yerevan food stores throughout January. He claimed that being encouraged by the fact that poultry farms that skyrocketed eggs prices in the last days of December avoided any punishment wheat importing companies have also raised the prices.
Buying eggs in Yerevan stores was impossible in the last week of December after their retail prices jumped by at least 40 percent, to between 80 and 120 drams (33 U.S. cents) apiece, in a matter of days. Poultry farms blamed the shortages on increased consumer demand, but critics claimed it was a collusion of several poultry farms.
“If the government continues to shut its eyes on such violations, very soon we shall see a dramatic rise of other foods prices,’ Armen Poghosian said, adding that the economy and finance ministries as well as the State Commission for Protection of Economic Competition are to blamed for the atmosphere of impunity.
Breads prices rose last in Armenia in summer. The rise was blamed on grain crops shortage at world markets. As a result bread prices surged 20% and the price of a 50 kg flour sack skyrocketed from 8,000 Drams to 14,000 drams. ($1-367.39 Drams).-0-
Speaking at a news conference, he said the Armenian Consumers Association had monitored bread prices in Yerevan food stores throughout January. He claimed that being encouraged by the fact that poultry farms that skyrocketed eggs prices in the last days of December avoided any punishment wheat importing companies have also raised the prices.
Buying eggs in Yerevan stores was impossible in the last week of December after their retail prices jumped by at least 40 percent, to between 80 and 120 drams (33 U.S. cents) apiece, in a matter of days. Poultry farms blamed the shortages on increased consumer demand, but critics claimed it was a collusion of several poultry farms.
“If the government continues to shut its eyes on such violations, very soon we shall see a dramatic rise of other foods prices,’ Armen Poghosian said, adding that the economy and finance ministries as well as the State Commission for Protection of Economic Competition are to blamed for the atmosphere of impunity.
Breads prices rose last in Armenia in summer. The rise was blamed on grain crops shortage at world markets. As a result bread prices surged 20% and the price of a 50 kg flour sack skyrocketed from 8,000 Drams to 14,000 drams. ($1-367.39 Drams).-0-
