The RA Statistical Service reported the consumer price index reached 108.2% this January-February as compared with the corresponding period last year. The prices for almost all goods and services showed an upward tendency – a 5.1% rise for food, 10% rise for clothing and footwear, a 10.4% rise for paid services. The price for meat products showed an 8.8% rise and that for fish products a 60.3% rise.

On the other hand, the prices for eggs and soft drinks fell by 12.3% and 0.1% respectively. The sugar price rose by 34.8%, with actually only one importing sugar to Armenia. To the joy of smokers and drinker, the prices for tobacco and hard drinks rose by only 1.6%.

This price rise is not a specific feature of the period under review. Rather, it was a logical result of last year’s trends. This February, a 2% price rise was registered as compared with last December.

The rise in the gas price scheduled for April 1 will inevitably cause a further rise in the prices for other products. As a result, the social conditions of the Armenian population, particularly of the 500,000 pensioners and other socially vulnerable groups, will get even worse.

T.P.