The Minister of Economy and Labor, Besar Durmishi, presented the results of the autumn consumer basket today at a press conference in the Ministry of Economy and Labor.
Here is his speech:
The autumn basket as a measure that we introduced at the end of September has already ended, as of yesterday.
The measure was implemented successfully and according to the analysis of the Ministry of Economy and Labor, it produced the expected results.
We adopted this measure in order to protect citizens at a time when there is increase in the prices of essential food products, especially during the holidays, that is, to stabilize the prices and prevent them from suddenly increasing.
So it happened as with the measure we managed not to allow a sharp increase in the prices of essential food products, but rather their stabilization and reduction in certain segments.
Our analysis that we have shared shows that the prices of products from the autumn basket have decreased by an average of 5% to 10%, while for some products the price reduction is less or not at all (such as bread, cooking oil and milk), while for other products it is significantly higher (e.g. meat, vegetables and dairy products (cheese and yellow cheese).
Of course, as you know, we had comments from most of the traders and some of the distributors about this measure, but it still gave the results we expected, because the protection of the standard of living is our priority.
Our data shows that expressed in money savings for a family of four, on a monthly basis the savings from the limited margins and reduced prices of some products amounts to MKD690 to MKD1.360 per family, depending on the manner of eating, as well as the choice of markets where the same is purchased.
This is confirmed by the data of the Trade Unions from their trade union basket, where in October in the food and beverages section it was reduced by MKD935.
This indicates that the measures of the Government, which are in force at the moment, have produced results and the price of food has decreased for one month.
The total reduction of the October trade union basket is MKD 57, but it also includes rent.
In the coming period, as we announced, there will be a Christmas basket, a Ramadan basket, and an Easter basket. These baskets will have a different composition of products, depending on what is most consumed during that period and in dialogue with both manufacturers and traders, we will create this measure to be in everyone's interest and to be easily applicable.
Which model we will choose will depend on the proposals we will receive, and of course we should take into account that there are discounts and promotions on certain products in the markets during the holidays, so we will see how they can be included in the next baskets.
What is important to say is that this measure, that is, the basket will not last more than a month.
That is, they are provided with a shorter duration of 15 to a maximum of 30 days.
I expect that from the beginning of next November, there will be a further reduction in prices because, as you know, the application of the Law on Unfair Trade Practices began a month ago, and we expect that with the new stock of products in the markets, there will be new lower prices.
As of today, the measure for frozen margins is not in force, I expect that there will be no increase in prices by traders. If that happens, that is, if the prices go wild without any basis, then the Ministry of Economy and Labor will take all the measures it has at its disposal and we will take more rigorous decisions in order to protect the standard of the citizens.