Correspondents of “Chronicles of Turkmenistan” report that on 29 May, 2020 vegetable oil “Akhal”, which had not been available since late February, re-appeared on the counters of some state-run stores of Ashgabat. However, it is now sold at 12 manats per liter compared to the previous price of 3,40 manats.
Together with oil shop assistants also oblige customers to buy a kilo of rice (at the price of 8, 10 and 12 manats at the dissection of a customer) and a 0.5 liter bottle of sparkling water, which costs 1 manats.
This is how oil was sold in “Nygmat” store located in the 30th residential district of Ashgabat.
Customers claim that despite a price hike for oil, there are still a lot of people in the queue.People expressed their discontent with the fact that they are urged to purchase additional groceries together with oil.
If customers refused to buy rice or water, shop assistants complain to a police officer who keeps vigil in the shop, who warns that dissatisfied customers will be held liable for violating public order.
The district police officer informed customers that a conflict broke out last night in the queue (residents start queuing up even at night).As a result, two people who were considered to be instigators were taken to a police station.
A fine of 300 manats was imposed on each of them.According to him, many residents stand in queues in order to buy cheap groceries and resell them to privately-owned retail outlets.
For instance, a bottle of “Oleina” oil costs 13 manats in state-run stores whereas in privately-owned shops it is sold at 30 manats.Unemployed city residents take advantage of the opportunity to earn some money.
Let us recall that since last year the Akhal oil production plant had been idle a few times and “Akhal” oil, which is in demand among residents, was not available in stores.
In mid April the plant resumed its operations but the oil was supplied only to privately-owned stores in big 5 liter bottles at the price of 130 manats (26 manats per liter).
Later the law-enforcement authorities launched the investigation to look into the case of price speculation in an attempt find out why the manufacturing facility subordinate to the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Economy was selling its produce at prices which are 7 to 8 times higher than approved prices amidst an acute deficit of oil in state-run retail outlets.
In early May 30 a batch of Russian oil in railroad tank cars was supplied to the Akhal oil production mill to be bottled at the facility.
At the same time, more brands of Russian and Turkish vegetable oil appeared on the counters of privately-owned Turkmen stores at the price of 35 to 60 manats per liter.