Correspondents of “Chronicles of Turkmenistan” report that Ashgabat state-run stores have significantly increased prices for fruit.
In December 2020 apples, pears, kiwi, banana and oranges were sold at 6 manats per kilo.
In the run-up to New Year holidays prices went up to 12 manats per kilo followed by a subsequent price hike to 15 manats in early January.Fruit were sold with a limit of 1 kilo per person and customers were also obliged to buy rice and other slow-moving merchandise in a set.
Now in Tekin bazaar, for instance, fruit prices have increased to 20 manats per kilo.
Meanwhile, cheap flour sold at 1 manat per kilo has disappeared from the counters of state-run stores in Ashgabat.
Only premium quality flour, produced at the factory in Änew, is available but its price has gone up from 2 to 5 manats. It is sold in 5 kilo packages. Privately-owned retail outlets, however, are selling the same flour at 7 to 8 manats per kilo.
Eggs have also disappeared from the counters of state-run stores. They are only sold in privately-owned shops at the price of 1,50 manats apiece.
Of groceries sold at subsidized prices, only vegetable oil and chicken meat is available.
Residents of the capital fear that the authorities are gradually trying to stop subsidizing essential groceries and state-run retail outlets will be privatized.
“This is going to negatively affect a large number of people who cannot afford to buy groceries at market prices.Prices at the markets are soaring, following the dollar rate increase whereas salaries of employed residents remain unchanged”, says one of the indignant customers a correspondent of “Chronicles of Turkmenistan” has interviewed.The post Prices for fruit in Ashgabat state-run stores increase threefold over the past month first appeared on Chronicles of Turkmenistan.