Retail food prices rose by 19.8 percent in Minsk in the first four months of the year compared with the same period in 2008, said the statistics department of the city executive committee.
Wheat flour reportedly increased in price by 35.3 percent year-on-year; pastas by 26.2 percent; milk and dairy products by 26.1 percent; fish and fish products by 25.7 percent; cereals and beans by 25.3 percent; potatoes by 24.5 percent; eggs by 24.1 percent; sausages by 23.8 percent; meat and poultry by 21.9 percent; bread and bakery products by 19.9 percent; canned fish by 18.2 percent; candies, confectionery and soft drinks by 17.9 percent; canned fruit and berries by 17.6 percent; and cheeses by 14.8 percent. Prices of vegetable oil reportedly fell by 19.6 percent.
According to the statistics department, non-food consumer goods in Minsk rose in price by 12.9 percent in the first four months compared with the same period in 2008.
Services reportedly rose in price by 16.2 percent. In particular, the rates of tourism services increased by 26.4 percent, consumer services by 23.1 percent, housing and utility services by 22.2 percent, fitness and sports services by 20.7 percent, passenger transportation by 15.3 percent, higher education services by 14.3 percent, preschool/child care services by 9.9 percent, communications services by 6.2 percent, cultural institutions’ services by 2.8 percent, and medical services by 2.7 percent.
As of May 1, food services providers reportedly charged their customers 16 percent more than a year earlier.
