Prices have risen, wallets will burn
The oil that was sold at a price of 135 denars, yesterday could be found for a price of 156 to 163 denars, and the new price of flour type 400 now ranges from 54 to 60 denars, although yesterday it cost 35 denars. The sugar is sold for 55 to 60 denars, and a package of 10 eggs - 90 to 110 denars. Bread and rice became more expensive: depending on what kind of bread you buy, the prices have increased between 6 and 9 denars.
Basic food products and oil derivatives from yesterday are significant more expensive after they ceased to be valid anti-crisis measures of the Government which were introduced in March. Higher prices for cooking oil, flour, sugar, bread, eggs о dawned in the shops early in the morning, and last night columns of vehicles were formed in front of the gas stations, in order for the drivers to refuel at the old price.
The oil that was sold at a price of 135 denars, yesterday could be found for a price of 156 to 163 denars, and the new price of flour type 400 now ranges from 54 to 60 denars, although yesterday it cost 35 denars. The sugar is sold for 55 to 60 denars, and a package of 10 eggs - 90 to 110 denars. Bread and rice became more expensive - depending on what kind of bread you buy, prices have increased between 6 and 9 denars.
Columns of vehicles were formed in front of the gas stations last night. Everyone was in a hurry to refuel at the old price, because from yesterday at midnight Eurosuper BS-95 is sold for 104, and diesel is 95 denars, which is an increase of about 10 denars per liter. Extra light household oil is more expensive for 8,5 denars per liter.
The anti-crisis measures provided for a reduction in VAT on basic foodstuffs from 5 to 0 percent, and on energy from 18 to 10 percent. The restriction on the margins of traders was also lifted. The goal was, as then-Economy Minister Kreshnik Bekteshi explained, to limit price growth over the next three months.
Reserves will not save the standard
The consumer organization warns of the catastrophic consequences of the new price increases of strategic products on the standard of vulnerable categories of citizens.
- Making reserves will not contribute much to improving the standard of consumers, because prices will not fall. Citizens can save by reducing electricity consumption, reducing the purchase of products that are not necessarily needed, but not by buying food products - said for "Local" Tatjana Tasevska from the Consumers' Organization.
VMRO-DPMNE announced that it will submit a draft law, which will require the VAT for liquid fuels to be five percent by the end of this year. According to the announcements, they will also propose food products to be exempt from VAT by the end of the year.
- The increase in the price of fuels is not a consequence of the growth of the price of oil on world stock exchanges, but the high excise tax of SDSM with which they fill the budget. While Kovacevski is hitting the people in Macedonia, in Germany there will be reductions in fuel taxes of up to 30 euro cents per liter. One liter of fuel, practically, will have the same price in Macedonia and Germany - react from VMRO-DPMNE.
Uzunov sees the solution in saving
The Ministry of Economy, on the other hand, pointed out that there is no room for continuation of this measure, given the fact that in that way it could negatively affect the work of companies in the processing industry and trade. The National Bank calms down and says that this price shock will not be drastic.
Professor Dr. Vancho Uzunov from the Faculty of Economics at UKIM sees the solution in saving.
- We can not say whether prices will calm down or continue to grow, it does not depend on Macedonia but on external factors. Very little of the inflation comes from Macedonia. I see the solution in saving, it should be saved individually and collectively. Privileges should also be curtailed, including unnecessary travel expenses that should have been abolished a long time ago, but let this crisis be an occasion to do so. Although the reduction of travel expenses will not change much - says economic expert Uzunov.