Expensive Life

Price on wheat increases day-by-day. People in Samtskhe-Javakheti Region cannot plant wheat so they have to buy bread. In this situation expensive life bothers villagers and city dwellers in similar way. Entrepreneurs cannot maintain prices on bread.

Increased price on wheat in the World Market told on Akhaltsikhe Market too. A week ago you could buy a sack of wheat for 40 lari but now it costs 43 lari.

The Ministry of Agriculture states that the reason for increased price is deficit in wheat on World Market and global natural disasters; however they are sure that prices will be regulated.

“It is not only Georgian but global problem. Although wheat production has increased, the demand on white bread also rose,” said Aleko Tsintsadze, deputy Minister of Agriculture.

Individual Entrepreneurs, who sell wheat flour, say that prices started to increase two months ago.

“As a rule, in this period of time, the price on wheat flour falls because new harvest is reaped. However, this year prices are running up,” said Individual entrepreneur, Tamaz Zedgenidze.

Despite the changes the price on bread was stable in Akhaltsikhe until now. But, as representatives of many enterprises said, population should not expect positive changes.

“White bread will cost 55 tetri and rye bread will cost 45 tetri,” said Dato Elizbarashvili, manager for the enterprise “Kvis Puri” (bread baked on stone).

Entrepreneurs suppose that if the tendency keeps on, the price on bread will rise again and it might reach one lari in September.

“The price on wheat has risen for two months already. We tried to maintain old prices on bread but now we cannot do it anymore,” said individual entrepreneur Goga Samsonadze.

Shalva Dalalishvili, Deputy Governor of Akhaltsikhe Municipality, who is economist by profession, does not think that similar situation is urgent and makes promising statements. “Although prices are regulated by international market, Georgian government can regulate it on its market.”

There are eight members in the family of Jemal Karchkhadze and Lola Natriashvili-parents and six children. The eldest among their children is 21 and the youngest is 4. One sack of wheat flour can last for only two weeks in their family. Nobody works in their family and the only source for income is agriculture.

“We are cultivating the land with spade and hoe and cannot plant wheat because first of all, the seed cost too expensive; then you have to hire a combine harvester to reap the wheat which we do not have combine in the village. Thus we plant only corn and beans. As for wheat flour we have to buy it. Now the price has risen and I do not know what to do. One sack of wheat costs 43 lari,” said Jemal Karchkhadze.

Town residents are also worried about the situation.

“Increased price on bread means to die of starvation. If a person is employed s/he receives only 100 lari a month. If a loaf of bread costs 60 tetri how shall we be able to survive?” asked Leila Maghradze.

“I know families where dinner is not cooked because they cannot buy product and eat only bread. Now you should conclude yourself what will happen to similar people,” said seventy-two-year-old Aniko Londaridze.

The prices will rise on bakeries as well. The price on macaroni and vermicelli has increased in twenty tetri.

Gulo Kokhodze, Akhaltsikhe