Since the month of February, the rise of prices for basic grocery items in Albania has gone up as high as 20 to 66%. One of the main reasons presented for these changes is the pandemic and the stagnation in the operation of institutions during the elections. According to the director of the Office for the Protection of the Consumer, Hasan Stafa, this phenomenon is abusive.

“Starting from February 10^th, there is an incredible tendency in rising prices, speculative naturally, because of the 14-month global crisis, which has also contributed to a price increase, but it has increased by about 14% in the global and regional markets, but in [Albania] the price rise goes from 20 to 66% and it starts with the basic products, like carrier oil. From 1.240 All it has now gone up to 2.200 ALL for a liter. Products like flour, sugar, rice, pasta and salt have also become more expensive,” said Hasan Stafa, Director of the Office for the Protection of Consumers.

This rise in prices has burdened the current economic condition for citizens and has resulted in the fall of spending power nationwide.

In addition, the price for the category “Groceries and non-alcoholic beverages” has gone up by 4.5%; “vegetables including potatoes” 10.2%; “oils and fats” 4.6%; “fruits” 4.4%.

The Authority on Competition, tax authorities, and the National Food Authority are institutions, which should intervene in order to put an end to such violations and abuse, in order to return the market back to normality.

Even though from January 1^st, the government raised wages for certain categories of professionals, including doctors, nurses, teachers and from April 1^st, retirement pensions also went up by 2.7%, this parallel rise, in prices for the main grocery products, has diluted the effect of these seemingly positive changes.