Consumption: the Prices of Several Products to Increase
If, at the end of last year, a family of four spent an average of about Rs 5200 for her shopping, she now spends Rs 5,800 on average. And this amount includes only commodities such as milk, pasta, rice, flour, butter, canned foods or cereals, regardless of electricity bills or water procurement market, bus ticket, the daily bread or gas appliances.
Estimated spending budget of an average family currently around Rs 6300. And, observers say, is only the tip of the iceberg. An overview of the evolution of prices during the last six months is rather revealing. Even taking into account promotions that offer different outlets, the cost of 'ration book has, in some cases, increased in alarming proportions. The price of milk has increased from 10% to 15% during the last ten months. The price of dried beans also increased, although it has recently been downgraded.
Prices affected by the prices on the world market
While some consumer goods rose on the market, this is because of the prices on the international market. So explain some importers, the price of rice will not experience down so early because the variety 'basmati' sells 1 600 USD per tonne currently, against USD 1,000 per tonne last year.
This explains the increase in the price up 20% of basmati rice in February. Importers are even of the opinion that the price of basmati could rise in the coming months if the price of 'long grain white rice' increases. "Traditionally, there is a difference of 30-35% between basmati and 'long grain white rice." If the price of the latter increases, the basmati necessarily experience an increase, "explained the importers. However, he says that it is imperative to wait for the next harvest, which is scheduled for December, before deciding on a possible increase in prices of Basmati. The government is trying somehow to relieve consumers through subsidies, but as the country imports most of its consumer goods, retailers have no choice but to pass the price increases to consumers.
