Gurjaani population is discontent about the increased prices on food products

Lela Khechoshvili, Kakheti 

The GEL fall had impact on the price of food products. The price of bread and cereals has significantly risen. As we were told in one of the groceries, the price on cereals has increased from 20 to 50 tetri. The cost of flour also raised and it caused discontent of rural population. 

“No one cares about us; unless the situation about GEL is improved, we will die of hunger.  Prices increased on food and medicines; how can we live in similar situation,” Gurjaani resident, Elene Utiashvili said. 

According to the head of the Association of Wheat and Bread Producers Levan Silagava, some people benefit from the current rate of the USD and create artificial panic.

"The dollar rate should not impact the flour price, because bakers buy flour in mills for Lari. The dollar rate impacts the mills, because they mainly import the wheat from abroad. Only middle circle – the resellers benefit from the situation,” Levan Silagava said. 

According to the chairman of the Bread Producers Union Malkhaz Dolidze, during the wheat crisis, in 2010 and 2012, the price of bread has increased. However, in 2013 has lowered again. 

“"During the wheat crisis, a sack of flour cost 60 Lari and bread price increased only at 10 tetri; many bakers went bankrupt because of it; many of them took loans and they still pay debts; they even reduced salaries. No one cares about entrepreneurs, no one supports them,” Malkhaz Dolidze said. 

Residents protest increased prices on bread and cereals, and hope they will not run higher.