Azerbaijan takes measures to stabilize grain prices

The Azerbaijani Economic Development Ministry's State Antimonopoly Policy and Consumer Protection Service has announced the results of its bread price monitoring in shopping centers after recent price rises.

Head of the service Zahid Isayev told journalists that the relevant public authorities are carrying out operational activities to minimize the impact of changes on grain prices on the world market on Azerbaijan, as well as to stabilize grain prices.

The price of bread rose from 0.3 to 0.4 manat for a loaf in Baku stores from Nov. 18 to Nov. 22. This was observed on the backdrop of the rising cost of flour. Prices again declined to previous levels due to state measures, although a reduction was seen in the weight of bread.

"In recent years, the grain prices increased in the world market," Isayev said.

"Since Azerbaijan's economy is integrated into the global economy, rising world grain prices affects the situation inside the country. Recently, there was an increase in consumer prices on flour in Azerbaijan. This has led to the fact that some manufacturers raised the price of bread. The service examines every fact of rising bread prices, as well as the reasons for this."

Regarding the decline of the weight of bread, he said there is no standard governing the weight in Azerbaijan.

"We have standards governing bread safety and quality, but there is no standard governing the weight and the price of bread," he said. "This is based on the demand-proposal ratio. The weight of bread is regulated by the manufacturer."

Isayev added that the service regularly monitors food and nonfood items on the market.

The Agriculture Ministry told Trend that the increase in bread prices is unfounded, since the country's food grain needs are satisfied and the country is not experiencing product shortages.

"We have about 2 million tons of grain reserves," the ministry said. "The Emergency Situations Ministry has also provided us with 700,000 tons from the Grain Fund and 1 million tons of grain was imported."


/Trend/