Skopje, 1 June 2023 (MIA) – The government measure capping the prices of certain agricultural products, white and semi-white bread, flour, cooking oil, eggs, rice, pasta, milk and dairy products ends on Thursday. The prices of diapers, toilet paper, wet wipes and sanitary pads are also being uncapped. 

The country’s officials assure that the prices of these products won’t increase, and if this does happen, then, they said, the appropriate measures will be taken immediately. The situation is being monitored daily, and the assessment is that currently there is no room for large fluctuations in prices.

“Based on the data we have, the prices of most products are even lower than the capped prices. If there are abuses by retailers once the price caps expire, then of course measures will be taken,” said Minister of Economy Kreshnik Bekteshi.

According to Bekteshi, the price caps are not being extended due to the sharp reduction in inflation especially concerning the prices of food products, among other factors.

The Economy Ministry expects inflation to be lower than 10 percent in June, while Bekteshi said he expects the total inflation for the whole year to be lower than projected.

The Deputy Prime Minister for economic affairs, Fatmir Bytyqi, too, said he believes there is no reason for price hikes after the measure expires. “The Government,” he added, “will react if there is a need.”

“All prerequisites for the prices to remain unchanged, or maybe even decrease, have been met. All previous conditions which led to an increase in prices are now gone, the price of electricity is not as high as it was in the past, the price of raw materials is also down. This means that the producers and retailers can realistically maintain the capped prices, and even lower them. We saw that the prices of vegetables organically dropped below the capped prices by as much as 40 percent, which is why they will be uncapped,” said Bytyqi.

The first measure concerning prices was adopted on February 28 when the price of white and semi-white bread was capped to Mden 33, afterwards, on March 16, the Government capped the prices of some pasta products and dairy products. On March 21 the prices of rice and eggs were capped, while on April 5 the prices of eleven types of fruit and vegetable were capped as well.

Photo: MIA