Economist: recent price increases in Armenia are unreasonable

ArmInfo. The latest price hikes in the food market of Armenia are unreasonable, economist, head of the Alternative Research Center Tatul Manaseryan said at a meeting with journalists on October 13.

According to the expert, the rise in prices in global food markets could have an impact on the pricing of certain types of goods in Armenia. However, since in the republic they are not adequate to these fluctuations, the expert considers this argument unreasonable.

In addition, the change in prices in the direction of their increase is also theoretically influenced by the withdrawal of economic entities from the "shadow", which leads to a reduction in their incomes. They, trying to compensate losses, increase the cost of products sold. The fault, according to the expert, is the inaction of the state, which has forgotten about its two main functions, namely, control and regulatory. In the absence of control, as Manaseryan pointed out, many will try to make money - both intermediaries and importers. It should be noted that in the last month in Armenia there is a rise in price of meat and butter.  According to the National Statistical Service, the average price for 1 kg of beef in August in Yerevan was about 2100 AMD, and lamb - about 2200 drams. Already in September, the price of one kilogram of beef reached 2,100 to 2,500 AMD, lamb - from 2,200 to 2,800 AMD, pork from 2,600 to 3,500 AMD.  The relevant authorities explain the increase in meat prices as an unfavorable year for agriculture, and for oil - by price fluctuations in the world market. Experts predict a further rise in price for essential goods.