ArmInfo-STAR Dining Table Price Index Totals 103.26 Points

ARMINFO-STAR DINING TABLE PRICE INDEX TOTALS 103.26 POINTS

ArmInfo
2009-12-18 10:34:00

ArmInfo. "ArmInfo-STAR" Dining Table Price Index (DTPI), based
on the costs of the 50 most popular food products at the network
of supermarkets STAR totaled 103.26 in November with a view to
basic February 2009. In November versus October the index totaled
109.48 points. Price index in November totaled 119.27 points versus
November 2008, whereas quantity index totaled 122.59 and the price
index totaled 100.32 points. The number of consumers was down 1.72%
versus October but grew 5.44% versus November 2008 (exclusive of the
supermarkets opened within the year this index was down 2.8%). The
average purchase sum grew 1.02% versus October and was down 16.27%
versus November 2008 (exclusive of the supermarkets opened within
the year, the index was down 14.62%).

ArmInfo analysts say one of the key trends of the last months was
the continuous rise of sugar price within the second half of the year.

Starting July sugar price rose 18.6%, which has affected consumption.

Thus, after high consumption in August, at the end of summer
procurement, consumption began to fall and was down 29,6% in November
versus July. Sugar grew in price also outside the STAR network. This
probably resulted in general decline of sugar consumption. As for
bread, the average consumption of this product grew 1.87% versus
October despite the stable price. Since July bread grew in price
10-12% in compliance wit general rise of prices for food products. As
a result, consumption of the basic types of bread at STAR did not fall.

Prices of dairy products (200-450g sour cream, milk, matsoun and curds)
were left unchanged versus October. Over the last several months
these products grew in price up to 5% (specifically matsoun and sour
cream). Seasonal growth of sour cream consumption from July to November
yields 20% to the same period of 2008 when sour cream was by 10-20
drams cheaper (in November this indicator yielded to November of 2008
by 10 drams). As for milk, in October-November 2008 it grew in price
nearly 10% that led to 3.5% decline of consumption. In November 2009,
milk consumption began growing because of seasonal trends (8% versus
October and almost 8% versus Nov 2008 despite nearly 5% lower price).

Beef consumption like the price for the last months was left almost
the same. As compared to 2008 beef price grew nearly by 20 drams
(considering some fluctuations, for instance sharp growth in August).

By November 2008 beef price fell almost by 70 drams versus November
2009, which resulted in 40% growth of consumption as compared to the
present. Consumption of chicken is half as much as in 2008 given
the 4.6% lower price in 2008. However, in November versus October
consumption grew 25% and the price was left unchanged.

Consumption of potato versus October fell for seasonal reasons
particularly, because of winter procurement from markets and farmers.

In 2009 potato grew in price nearly 25%-30% versus Oct-Nov 2008. The
seasonal decline in November 2009 was not as significant as in the
previous year (25.4% versus 34.7%).

ArmInfo-STAR DTPI is based on the prices and quantity parameters of
consumption of basic food products at the network of supermarkets STAR.