The price of the consumer basket remains stable since last week, recording a value of 97 leva, announced the chairman of the State Commission on Commodity Exchanges and Markets (DKSBT), Vladimir Ivanov, at a press conference.
The journalists gathered for the briefing observed carefully while Ivanov explained the current market situation. He emphasized that the current moment is characterized by an interesting trend: most wholesale prices of goods, which had increased in the previous week, are now showing a decrease. This, according to Ivanov, is mainly due to logistical factors and seasonal fluctuations. The atmosphere in the hall was calm, and those present focused on the data that would be presented. Ivanov added that the market maintains its normal functioning and that price levels are determined by the interaction between supply and demand, rejecting the possibility of influence from other factors.
The data presented by DKSBT by Vladimir Ivanov offers a detailed overview of the changes in wholesale prices of vegetables and fruits. They record a decrease for cucumbers - by 11 stotinki, red peppers - by 7 stotinki, green peppers - by 17 stotinki, onions - by 9 stotinki, cabbage - by 2 stotinki, potatoes - by 1 stotinka, lemons - by 3 stotinki, watermelons - by 2 stotinki, zucchini - by 3 stotinki and apples - by 5 stotinki.
Along with these decreases, there are also increases in the prices of certain products. Tomatoes record an increase of 36 stotinki, carrots - by 2 stotinki, peaches - by 18 stotinki, and grapes - by 11 stotinki. Regarding tomatoes, Ivanov mentioned a temporary deficit due to reduced quantities, which is typical for the end of the season for certain varieties. As a consequence, higher quality tomatoes are becoming more expensive, while tomatoes for canning remain in abundance.
Among the main food products, an increase in the prices of rice is observed - by 7 stotinki, pork - by 2 stotinki and sugar - by 2 stotinki. At the same time, some goods record a decrease in prices: oil - by 15 stotinki, cheese - by 11 stotinki, white cheese - by 10 stotinki, yogurt - by 3 stotinki, chicken meat - by 9 stotinki, butter - by 1 stotinka and flour - by 2 stotinki. Eggs, beans and fresh milk maintain their price from the previous week.
Turning to the sunflower harvest, which is key for the production of oil, Ivanov pointed out that the yield is not as weak as expected. Preliminary data indicate a harvest of about one and a half million tons, and the final results will be clear after the entire harvest is gathered. This quantity exceeds the internal needs of the country, which guarantees the absence of a shortage of oil, he emphasized.
The chairman of DKSBT also presented a comparative analysis of the changes in wholesale prices of products from May 20th to today.
For the main food products, the price of sugar on May 20th was 1.87 leva per kilogram, and currently it is 1.81 leva per kilogram. Beans at 4.35 leva per kilogram are now trading at 4.26 leva per kilogram. The price of rice is currently 3.33 leva per kilogram, while at the beginning of the period it was 3.38 leva per kilogram. Flour at 1.54 leva per kilogram has reached 1.47 leva per kilogram. Oil at 3.15 leva per liter in May, is currently offered at 3.13 leva per liter. Eggs, the price of which was 0.34 leva at the beginning of the period, this week are trading at 0.37 leva each. The price of cheese at 18.60 leva per kilogram in May, is now 17.74 leva per kilogram. White cheese is trading at 11.92 leva currently, at 11.40 leva in May. Butter was 3.17 leva at the beginning of the period, and now it is 3.13 leva for a 125-gram packet. Yogurt at 1.43 leva in May, this week is trading at 1.36 leva for a 400-gram container. Fresh milk was 2.36 leva at the beginning of the period, and now is offered at 2.29 leva per liter. Pork, which was 10.27 leva at the beginning of the period, is currently selling at 10.11 leva per kilogram, and chicken meat from 6.75 leva per kilogram has reached 6.92 leva.
In the field of vegetables, tomatoes, the price of which was 2.47 leva per kilogram on May 20th, are now offered at 2.38 leva per kilogram. Cucumbers from 1.94 leva have reached 2.22 leva per kilogram, and potatoes have decreased from 1.39 leva to 1.08 leva per kilogram. Cabbage, offered at 1.70 leva at the beginning of the period, is now 0.96 leva per kilogram. The price of carrots from 1.31 leva per kilogram has decreased to 1.25 leva per kilogram, and ripe onions have become cheaper from 1.36 to 1.11 leva per kilogram. Red peppers from 3.27 leva are trading at 2.16 leva per kilogram, and green peppers have decreased from 4.32 leva to 1.83 leva per kilogram. Zucchini from 1.30 leva at the beginning of the period, this week are 1.40 leva per kilogram.
Regarding fruits, the data show that lemons have become more expensive from 3.02 leva to 4.42 leva per kilogram. Peaches are now trading at 4.15 leva per kilogram at 3.90 leva in May. Grapes have reduced their price from 3.63 leva to 3 leva per kilogram. Watermelons have become cheaper from 1.25 leva to 0.70 leva per kilogram. Apples, which traded at 2.14 leva, now cost 2.75 leva per kilogram.
In conclusion to his analysis, Ivanov emphasized that an increase in prices is observed for white cheese, eggs, and chicken meat, as well as for fruits and vegetables - cucumbers, zucchini, lemons, peaches, and apples. All other goods are at lower price levels in the last 120 days.
He concluded, emphasizing that these changes are completely normal and are a consequence of seasonal factors, without any influence from external circumstances, such as the Eurozone or other manipulative interventions.