The wave of price rise!
Mitrovica - Bashkim B. from Mitrovica works in a private firm in Pristina. His monthly salary has remained the same for years. He says he recently feels that he hardly can meet the end. This is because of prices increase during January. He has three children and every day more and bigger demands.
His concern remains his personal transportation because it costs more, since the oil derivatives have increased. "During January gasoline and oil price have increased, which normally affects our pocket. And what about other items like, food, clothing and shoes. I have to borrow in order to make the end meeting", he says. Although unemployment rate remains high in Mitrovica, the rise of prices continues to affect almost every citizen. That the year 2012 did not start well for the citizens of Mitrovica can be seen in the statistics showing the rise of prices by around 3 percent.
Statistics from the Kosovo Statistics Agency show that the consumer basket in January 2012 become more expensive for about 3 percent, compared with the beginning of last year. Whereas compared with December consuming items become more expensive for 0.7 percent.
Increase of prices can mainly be seen in the use of diesel-fuel and gasoline for about 11 percent. A liter of oil in January 2011 was bought by the average price of 1.16 euros, while according to official data the average price of a liter of diesel fuel in January was 1.31 euros. Also gasoline costs more expensive. One liter of this derivative in January 2011 was sold for 1.17 euros, while in January this for 1.29 euros. In comparison between December 2011 and January 2012, these two fuels were more expensive for 2-3 cents.
However comparing with the last January, meat and its products become more expensive more than 6 percent. A kilogram of beef in early 2011 cost 5.46 euros, while the same amount in the last month has cost 5.90 euros. But, the price of chicken is increased from 2.23 euro in January 2011 at 2.53 euro at the beginning of this year.
Also prices of tobacco, sugar, confectioneries, milk, cheese and eggs have risen. Tobacco is expensive for about 8 percent. Each pack of cigarettes is about 10 cents more expensive. Sugar and other sweet products prices have risen about 2 percent. Also, milk, cheese and eggs within one year period were more expensive for 5 percent. A pack of eggs from 2:46 euros in January last year has risen at 2.90 euros in January of this year. Even coffee, tea and cocoa are more expensive for about 9 percent, while water supply and other services relating to residence are more expensive for about 12 percent.