The dollar exchange rate, which has skyrocketed from 30 to 40 manats over the past two weeks, has caused a price hike for merchandise and groceries in privately-owned retail outlets.
For instance, in Ashgabat a kilo of beef, which was sold at 76 manats in late February and early March, now costs 100 manats.
According to shop assistants, despite the official re-opening of markets of 7 April there are few customers. Only those families who are preparing for weddings and other festivities are stocking up on groceries.
The price hike in privately-owned stores is leading to a growing number of customers in state-run shops which sell groceries at more affordable government-established prices. Queues are formed in front of state-run retail outlets, which are also experiencing a shortage of groceries.
Correspondents of “Chronicles of Turkmenistan” report that groceries in short supply have not been delivered to state-run stores for two weeks.Residents join the queue for groceries from 5 to 6 a.m.
at “Azatlyk” market in the 10th residential districts.By 7 a.m., according to correspondents of “Chronicles of Turkmenistan”, at least 500 to 600 people are in the queue, which is 100-150 meters long.
Inhabitants of all adjacent districts head to the market.Police officers and the NSM officers who ensure order request that people join the queue so that it can be seen from the road.
“Azatlyk” market (Tashauz market)
Vegetable oil and chicken drumsticks, which are now in short supply, are sold from 7:30 a.m.with 10 to 15 customers allowed to enter the store at a time.
A restriction of 1 liter of oil and 2 to 2.5 kilos of chicken drumsticks per customer applies.A kilo of rice needs to be purchased in a set with each of these groceries.
A set of rice and oil costs 28 manats whereas a set of rice and chicken drumsticks is sold at about 50 manats.
There are not enough groceries for all customers. Oil and chicken drumsticks are sold out to one third of people in the queue. Another third of customers in the queue manage to buy only oil whereas the rest leave empty handed.
Groceries are sold out in half an hour.
Chicken drumsticks are occasionally supplied to other small shops but these are sold out to the first 50 customers.
Sugar, eggs and beef are not available in state-run stores.
In privately-owned store oil is sold at 30 to 35 manats per liter and the price for chicken drumsticks varies from 38 to 55 manats per kilo.
Eggs cost 1,5 manats apiece whereas sugar is available at 26 manats per kilo.The post The increase in the dollar exchange rate results in a price hike in privately-owned stores and a shortage of groceries in state-run shops first appeared on Chronicles of Turkmenistan.