How Much Do Prices for Essential Food Products Amount to: Sharp Increase - 'Jhoghovurd'

‘Jhoghovurd’ daily reports: “In Armenia, the cost of the minimum consumer basket, according to average current prices for the first quarter of this year, has amounted to 66,568 drams on a monthly basis. The value of the food basket stands at 35,983 drams monthly.

It should be noted that the costs of food and consumer baskets have been calculated and published by the Armenian National Statistical Committee according to the framework developed by the Ministry of Health of Armenia regarding the composition, structure, and energy value of food products. The food basket represents the minimum amount of food necessary for the human body, which is 2,412.1 kcal daily, but last year the average energy consumption of food products in Armenia per person was 2,232 kcal.

Several experts are convinced that two out of three people in Armenia are undernourished. 'Jhoghovurd’ daily calculated the prices of essential food products. For example, according to the Statistical Committee, the cost of consumed food products per month for one adult is only 35,983 drams. The equivalent list includes bread products, meat, fish, dairy products, eggs, oil and fats, fruits, vegetables, potatoes, sugar, non-alcoholic beverages, and other food items.

For instance, the actual daily consumption per person is 461 grams of bread products, 48.3 grams of meat, 18.6 grams of eggs, etc. Furthermore, 100 grams of beef costs around 270-280 drams in Yerevan supermarkets and stores, while 100 grams of 'Iskhan' fish species is priced at 200-220 drams. A pair of eggs costs about 80-85 drams, while 90-100 grams of bread fluctuates around 140 drams.

Alongside this, it is noteworthy that the average pension in our republic amounts to 43,590 drams, and the minimum wage is 68,000 drams. Under these circumstances, people are unable to afford even this minimum amount of food. We refrain from even mentioning communal payments, clothing, footwear, and essential medications. Well, try to eat properly and live well.”

For more details, refer to today’s issue of the newspaper.