Rising prices, citizens complain of affordable costs

Both buyers and merchants say that expensive has become unbearable, while, according to them, factors such as inflation, lack of domestic production, and rising oil prices are directly affecting the market.

One of the citizens, Ibrahim Rrustemi, says prices have steadily increased compared to previous periods.

“Prices have increased, normally, compared to the previous year, as well as the previous months. Normal, inflation is about 6.8%, or 6%, if it is, compared to the same period in the preceding year. The budget is normally affecting that prices when they increase, the offer is small in the market, and this is also affecting the incomes of family economies when there is an increase in income”, he said.

According to him, the future of prices remains unclear and depends on different factors on the market.

Do you think the same growth will continue within the next few months? Now neither we nor you know it. But it depends on other factors, now the conditions there are... the market is not very well supplied. When there is little offer, prices are slightly higher”, Rrustem added.

Meanwhile, the other citizen, Sahit Selimi, describes the situation as alarming, stressing that price hikes are affecting basic foods.

How many prices have changed inside the market? A lot. A lot. A lot. Everything is expensive. Especially food, more expensive than food now, is nothing to us. How much is this affecting the family budget? How come you don't? Miserable is the one with only one salary. But everything changes with an increase in the price of oil than you saw transport cures. No transport, no cure. Transport is number one. The production has little, são subsidies give agriculture and cut down the food... expensive everything”, he said.

Even the citizen of Half Gashi estimates that price hikes have been significant over the past year.

“The market within the year probably went 20%-30% product price hikes. How much is this affecting the family budget? But not only that, it's not just that, it's the current, the taxes, all the cost in general. Life means it's expensive, the cost of the citizen is growing within about 3-4 years, of course 60-70x1>, he said.

In his view, climate factors, increased energy prices, and imported dependence, especially on rising fuel prices, have contributed to increased prices of trees and vegetables.

Do you think there's been an especially growth of trees and vegetables lately? Of course, last year's post-relevant temperatures, which means local orchards have been a little short for that reason, of course, and our market is specifically stocked by import, and it basically affects us. Do you think the rising price of oil is also helpful? Yes all: oil, current, tax... as a whole means inflation, citizen basket is very poor compared to the pay raise and the value of money that we get”, Gashi said for the Kosovo Press, broadcasts Periscope.

Meanwhile, businessmen in the Pristina market, who have spoken on condition of anonymity, say price hikes are visible and rapid.

“1 killa panligana 4 euro skee occurs never in history”, one of the businessmen at the Pristina market says.

They stress that within a month there have been significant price increases for many products.

“4 euros [kilogram] red pepper pepper, 3 euro the unburned [pocket chalogue], 4 euros [cocococo pepper survey], burner. It's been a month since it's up to 50 %x1>, they add.

According to another businessman, price hikes have intensified even during the month of Ramadan and Turkey's lack of import at the time.

Everything is expensive, expensive. I think next week they start with the price up. There is good time, even then in Ramadan, Turks do not work, import is missing from Turkey. The laws' quality of 1.50 to 3.50 is, I believe, is an increase of 100%”, one of the businessmen said.

Meanwhile, according to the Kosovo Statistics Agency, the harmonised index of total consumer prices has increased 6% compared to last year. As for products, the largest price increase, food and alcohol have suffered by 8%, followed by alcoholic beverages and tobacco with an increase of 4.9%.

As far as total price increases are concerned, according to the AKS, the largest growth is in housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels by 15.7%. /Periscope