“Chronicles of Turkmenistan” continues to monitor price fluctuations at Ashgabat grocery markets.
The economic crisis in Turkmenistan persists. The prices are related to the dollar value at “the black market”. This was especially noticeable when the dollar dropped down from 25-20 to 17-18 manats, when prices for household appliances had been slightly decreased.
In this review we will focus on price fluctuations from late September until late December and compare the late 2018 prices against the start of the year.
The price hike in 2018 was the most sensitive and burning topic for the residents.People are blatantly expressing their discontent in the queues.Many residents are outraged by the fact that they have to cut down on food expenses.
Starting from this year they are forced to cut the family budget again due to increased fees for public utilities.
It should be emphasized that according to official statistical data for 2017, the average salary across the country amounts to 1 432,8 manats.
According to sources of “Chronicles of Turkmenistan” the average monthly salary is 1000-1200 manats whereas the unemployment level is over 50% even in the capital.
Starting from January 2019 minimum wage amounts to 790 manats, retirement benefits 307 manats and allowances 293 manats.
As of mid January 2019 the dollar exchange rate “at the black market” was recorded at 18-18,2 manats compared to the official rate of 3,5 manats per US dollar.
The prices for vegetables went down considerably by the end of August. However, in early September the price hike started again, which reached 130% in the course of three months. Throughout the year prices for vegetables soared by 75%.
Potatoes still cost 5,2 manats on average. In early January the price for potatoes amounted to 3,5 manats, which is 32% cheaper.
The price for cucumbers and tomatoes went up from 4 and 8,5 to 8 and 9 manats respectively (+100% and +6%). In January cucumbers and tomatoes were sold at 7 and 6,5 manats.
Aubergines saw a price hike from 1,6 to 17 manats (+962%). In January they were sold at 10 manats.
The price for sweet pepper skyrocketed from 2,5 to 23 manats (+820%). In early January sweet pepper could be purchased at 5 manats.
The price for beets dropped from 2 to 1,5 manats (-25%). In January their price was 1,8.
The price for carrots went down from 2,5 to 1,5 (-40%). In January they cost 2 manats.
Imported fruits saw an average price decrease of 8%.The markets and state-run stores are still selling bananas, apples and pears at a low price of 6-8 manats per kilo.
This has led to a significant drop in prices.It appears that the price increase of 190% in the first six months of the year was the reason behind a decision to reduce prices and allow currency conversion for entrepreneurs importing fruits to Turkmenistan.
Bananas still cost 8 manats. At the start of the year they were sold at 16,5 manats.
The price for green and red (imported) apples went up from 8-12 manats to 8-16 manats respectively (0% and +100%). At the beginning of the year they were available at 8-16.
The price for oranges went down from 21 to 8,5 (-60%). In January they cost 7,7 manats.
The price for tangerines dropped down from 10,5 to 7,5 (-29%). In January they cost 7,7 manats.
Kiwis are still sold at 12 manats. In January, however, they were sold at 11.
The price for pomegranates dropped down from 12 to 10 manats (-17%). In January they could be purchased at 14 manats.
Canned goods saw a price increase of 9%.
The price for “RITA” brand canned pineapples went up from 24 to 25 (+4%). In January a can was sold at 13,8 manats.
“RITA” green peasare still available at 12 manats. In January the price was recorded at
“Rita” canned corn still costs 14 manats. In January it was sold at 7,2.
The price for “Makareno” (370 ml) olives went up from 18 to 20 (+11%). In January they cost 10,5 manats.
The price for “Rita” canned champignons increased from 22 to 25 (+14%). In January the price was 9,5.
The price for condensed milk increased from 8 to 12 manats (+50%). In January it was sold at 8.
The average price increase for cereals and pasta amounted to 29%.
The price for Russian-made pasta increased from 8 to 9 manats (+12.5%). At the start of the year pasta was sold at 6 manats.
The price for a kilo of local pasta went up from 5 to 6 manats (+20%). At the start of the year pasta could be purchased at 4,5 manats per kilo.
The price for a 500-gram pack of Ankara pasta went up from 14 to 17 manats (+21%). In January it was sold at 9 manats.
Peas saw a price increase from 7 to 8,5 manats per kilo (+21%). In January the price was 5 manats.
Moong dal is still sold at 16 manats. In January it could be purchased at 6.
The price for rice soared from 10 to 18 manats (+80%). In January it was sold at 7.
The price for cheese soared by 42%.
The price for “Gouda” went up from 70.00 to 72.00 manats (+3%). In January this cheese cost 45.00.
The price for “Edamer” skyrocketed from 70.00 to 160.00 manats (+128%). In January it was sold at 48.00.
The price for cheese “Cheese dynasty” soared from 138.00 to 180.00 (+30%). In January the price was recorded at 100.00.
The price for “Russian cheese” soared from 132.00 to 155.00 (+17%). In January it was sold at 72.50.
The price for “Viola” cheese spread (150 grams) went up from 14.00 to 18.00 manats (+29%). In January it was sold at 12.00.
The price for “Black prince” cheese skyrocketed from 155.00 to 240.00 (+55%). In January it cost 108.00.
The price for flour saw a slight increase of 1%.
The price for a kilo of Kazakhstan-produced flour went up from 6,5 to 7 manats (+8%). In January it was sold at 4 manats.
A kilo of Russian flour is still sold at 8 manats. In January it cost 4,2.
The price for a 1 kilo pack of “UNO” flour increased from 8,9 to 9 manats (+1%). In January it was sold at 5,8.
The price for a 5 kilo sack of “Pioneer” flour dropped down from 61 to 60 manats (-1.6%). In January it was sold at 26.
The price for a 2 kilo pack of “Tsar” flour increased from 17 to 18 manats (+6%). In January the price was recorded at 11,6.
Prices for vegetable oil saw an average increase of approximately 7%. If compare prices with the start of the year, the price hike equaled 4%.
A 1 liter bottle of “Oleina” oil is still sold at стоит 13 manats. At the beginning of the year the price was recorded at 12,5.
The price for a 1 liter bottle of “Rossiyanka” oil went up from 11 to 12 manats (+9%). In January it was sold at 12.
The price for “The crown of abundance” vegetable oil (7 liters) saw a price from 63 to 70 (+11%). In January it could be bought at 68.
The price for “AFTAB” oil (a 900 ml bottle) went up from 15 to 17 manats (+13%).
The price for “Saratov” margarine produced in Russia (150 grams) saw an increase from 4 to 4,2 manats (+5%). In January it was sold at 20.
The price for locally produced margarine “Gaymakly” (150 grams) went up from 4 to 4,2 manats (+5%). In January it cost 2.
Dairy products saw a price hike of 15%.
The price for Elin sour cream (350 grams) went up from 6,5 to 7 manats (+8%). In January it was sold at 3,5.
Gaýmak ayran (1 liter) still costs 5,5 manats. In January it was sold at 3.
The price for 1% “Garpalyk” butter milk (1 liter) soared from 5,5 to 7 manats (+27%). In January it was sold at 4.
The price for Dorag 9% curd (250 grams) increased from 7,2 to 8 manats (+11%). In January it cost 4.
The price for TekSut milk (1 liter) increased from 13,5 to 15 manats (+11%). In January it cost 9,2.
The price for Savushkin milk (1 liter) went up from 18,5 to 21,5 manats (+16%). In January it was sold at 12,8.
Home-made milk (1.5 liter) still costs 5 manats. In January the price was 3,5.
Meat and chicken saw a price increase of 4%.
The price for boned beef is still sold at 28 manats per kilo. In January it was sold at 18.
The price for a leg of lamb went up from 25 to 30 manats per kilo (+20%). In January it cost 20 manats.
The price for minced meat (grade 2) increased from 22 to 26 manats (+18%) compared to 18 manats in January.
The price minced meat (grade 1) increased from 28 to 32 manats (+14%). In January it was sold at 22.
Chicken is still sold at 13 manats per kilo at the counters of state-run stores, whereas the price of privately-owned retail outlets amounts to 20 manats. In January they were sold at 12.
The price for chicken drumsticks in privately-owned stores remains stable at 8 manats. They are available at all bazaars and state-run stores.
Coffee saw a price hike of 7% over the course of three months and 33% throughout the year.
MacCofee (20 grams) still costs 2.00 manats. In January it was sold at 1.50.
The price for a 190 gram pack of Jacobs coffee rose from 64.00 to 70.00 manats (+9%). In January it was sold at 53.00.
The price for a 100 gram jar of Nescafe coffee dropped down from 48.00 to 43.00 manats (-10%). In January it was available at 45.00.
The price for Carte noire coffee (95 grams) went up from 38.00 to 44.00 manats (+15%). In January it was sold at 25.80.
The price for CoffeeCreme coffee (100 grams) increased from 48.00 to 55.00 (+15%). In January it was sold at 38.00.
Soft drinks saw a price hike of 20%. Compared to January 2018 prices, the groceries saw a price hike of 76%. Prices for alcoholic beverages increased by 9% over the course of three months and by 55% throughout the year.
Akdaş tea-based drink (5 liter) is still sold at 2 manats. In January it cost 1,4.
Goşa Çynar drink (5 liters) is still available at 4 manats compared to 2,5 manats in January.
The price for a 1,5 liter bottle of “Tolkun” sparkling drink decreased from 4 to 3 manats (-25%). In January it was sold at 1,6.
A 1 liter bottle of Jos juice saw a price hike from 5 to 7,5 manats (+50%). In January it was sold half as much 3,5 manats.
The price for a 1 liter bottle of Ecil juice went up from 8,5 to 10 manats (+18%). In January it was sold at 7.
A 1 liter bottle of sugar-free Coca-cola still costs 4 manats, whereas the price for a 0,5 liter bottle dropped down from 2,5 to 2 manats (-20%). In January the soft drink was sold at 3,5 and 2 manats respectively.
The price for a 1 liter bottle of Coca-Cola increased from 12 to 15 manats (+25%). In January I was sold at 3,5.
1 liter bottles of Fanta and Sprite are still available at 8 manats. In January the price was recorded at 3,5.
A 0,5 liter bottle for Arassa vodka (white label) is still sold at 28 manats. In January the price was recorded at 15.
The price for a 0,5 liter bottle for Arassa vodka (red label) soared from 30 to 35 manats (+17%). In January it was sold at 20.
The price for a 1 liter bottle of TurkmenKonyagy cognac went up from 45 to 50 manats (+11%). In January it cost 35 manats.
Berk beer (0,5 liters) is still sold at 12 manats against 7 manats in January.
A 0,5 liter bottle of Zip beer costs 8 manats against 5 in January.
The price for Zip beer (5 liters) went up from 15 to 16 manats (+7%). In January it was available at 11.
Berk beer (5 liters) costs 18 manats compared to the price of 13 manats in January.
As regards household appliances, in the first quarter of the year prices saw an increase of 43%, whereas in the second quarter by 56%.In the third and fourth quarters the prices went down by 3% and 9% respectively.
The first six months saw a maximum growth.Throughout the year the prices soared by 97%.
The price MacBook Air 2017 laptop (Model: MQD32 CPUi5, RAM8GB, SSD128GB, VGASHARED, 13″) decreased from 19800 to 19100 manats (-3.50%). In January it cost 9510 manats.
The price for iLife Zed AirMini laptop (CPU Atom Z3735F, RAM 2GB, SSD 32GB, 10.6″ IPS) dropped from to 1900 to 1800 manats (-5.30%). In January it was sold at 1120.
The price for Toshiba external hard drive Stor.E Basic 1TB decreased from 1000 to 970 manats (-3.00%). %). In January it cost 500.
The price for Samsung J5 Prime2016 smart phone went down from 3700 to 3300 manats (-11.00%). In January it was sold at 1650.
The price for Samsung Galaxy TAB A (Model: SM-T285) dropped down from 3150 to 2800 manats (-11.00%). In January it was available at 1500.
The price for LG SmartTV43“TV set (Model: 43LF631) went down from 7125 to 6000 manats (-15.80%). In January it cost 4500.
LG DVD-player (Model: DP132H) saw a decrease from 750 to 680 manats (-9.40%). In January it was sold at 280.
The price for Samsung vacuum cleaner (Model: VCC4520S3R) decreased from 1300 to 1150 manats (-11.50%). In January the price amounted to 600.
The price for Samsung Soft-3 microwave oven (Model: ME83KRW-3/BW) went down from 1800 to 1600 manats (-11.10%). In January it was sold at 850.
The price for Neos40KV air conditioner (Model: NS12HPB) dropped down from 5000 to 4500 manats (-10.00 In January it was sold at 2550.
The price for WiFi TP-Link router (Model: TD-W8968) decreased from 600 to 500 manats (-16.70%). In January the price was recorded at 280.
The price for LG5KG washing machine (Model: F0J5LN3W) dropped down from 6500 to 5800 manats (-10.80%). In January it was sold at 2680.
The price for Hitachi refrigerator (Model: R-BG410PUC6XGBK) dropped down from 11250 to 9980 manats (-11.30%). In January it was sold at 4300.