Purchasing 15 items that “Vijesti” has tracked for nearly two years in both large and small supermarkets in Podgorica now costs slightly more than a month ago. Specifically, shopping at a hypermarket amounts to 46.2 euros, reflecting an increase of 70 cents compared to May, when the same groceries were priced at 45.5 euros.

Similarly, in a small market, you will also pay 70 cents more for the same basket, totaling 33.6 euros instead of 32.9 euros. Prior research by “Vijesti” indicated a consistent decline in prices month over month, a trend that has now shifted. Notably, the primary price increase recorded in large stores was a 50-cent hike for dishwashing detergent, while mini markets saw a similar rise in the price of milk.

However, there is a notable exception at the market, where prices for certain fruits and vegetables have decreased slightly from last month.

These findings are part of “Vijesti’s” monthly price barometer, which has been tracking price trends for 15 products across Podgorica’s supermarkets and markets. A reporter has visited these locations monthly since September 2023 to record prices, monitor changes, and identify any price fluctuations. The items monitored are uniform in type, brand, and weight to accurately reflect monthly variations.

As of April 30, the previous relief measures for citizens—including “Limited Prices” and margin caps on essential food items—have not officially been enacted in Montenegro. The government has indicated plans to introduce new measures from mid-May, though specifics are yet to be disclosed.

According to Monstat data, prices in May were 0.6 percent higher than in April, with an annual increase of 3.9 percent compared to May of last year. The most significant contributors to the monthly inflation rate included fruits, meats, dairy, oils and fats, clothing, and dining services.

Only cucumbers are cheaper

The current total for purchasing all 15 items in a large supermarket is 46.2 euros, which is about 70 cents more than in May, when the same basket cost 45.5 euros. Compared to June of last year, shopping in this supermarket is about 1.4 euros cheaper, down from 47.6 euros.

Within the last 30 days, dishwashing detergent’s price has risen by 50 cents in a large supermarket, now costing three euros instead of 2.5 euros. Toilet paper has also seen a slight price increase of ten cents since May, similar to bananas, which have risen the same amount. Additionally, the price for a kilogram of tomatoes has also increased by 20 cents, from 1.75 euros to two euros.

Notably, cucumbers are the sole product currently cheaper than in mid-May, now costing 20 cents less.

Compared to June last year, the price of veal is now one euro less, and chicken is two euros cheaper. Other reductions include a 40-cent decrease for chocolate, a ten-cent drop for caladont, and about 20 cents for ham. Conversely, the prices for dishwashing detergent, tomatoes, milk, bananas, toilet paper, and yogurt have significantly risen by amounts ranging from ten to 50 cents each.

In small markets, similar to large supermarkets, a total spending increase of 70 cents has been recorded, bringing the price to 33.6 euros from 32.9 euros in May. Compared to the previous year, June’s purchases are 40 cents less, down from 34 euros.

In small shops, the price of milk has increased by 50 cents, now costing 1.65 euros compared to 1.15 euros just a month ago. The price of yogurt has risen by 20 cents, increasing from 1.3 euros to 1.5 euros. Similarly, tomatoes now cost two euros a kilogram. However, bananas have dropped by 20 cents since May.

In comparison to June last year, a small shop charges two euros less for a kilogram of chicken, dropping from ten to eight euros. Fish sticks cost about 30 cents less, ham is down by 20 cents, and yogurt and cucumbers are slightly cheaper. With the exception of eggs, most monitored foods are now more expensive than in June of the previous year. Tomatoes were 60 cents cheaper per kilogram last year, while apples, bananas, and chocolate were 30 cents cheaper, and milk was roughly ten cents cheaper, along with toilet paper, dishwashing detergent, and caladont, which were 20 cents less.

The market, however, was significantly less expensive last year at this time. A year ago, the total for the selected fruits and vegetables was 4.2 euros, whereas currently it is 5.9 euros. Price variations at the market have remained mostly stable over the last month, with cucumbers, tomatoes, apples, and bananas maintaining their prices since May.

The market was cheaper last year

This month, the market highlights a trend where nearly all fruits and vegetables, aside from bananas, are pricier than last year. Bananas remain at one euro, unchanged from May and the previous year. Apples currently cost 1.4 euros, consistent with last month’s pricing but higher than last year’s 1.2 euros per kilogram.

The most notable price increase is for tomatoes, which were one euro in May 2023 and now sit at two euros. Cucumbers exhibit a similar trend; priced at one euro last June, they are now 1.5 euros. The price of cucumbers was listed at 1.8 euros in May this year.

About a month and a half ago, the “Limited Prices” program came to an end. This government initiative, in place from September to April, limited profit margins for 67 food and hygiene products in both wholesale and retail sectors. “Vijesti’s” May price barometer indicated that prices surged for some items after the expiration of this initiative, with milk priced 20 percent higher than in April and yogurt up 15 cents compared to the previous month, reverting to levels prior to government intervention.

The margin limitation for six staple food items—sunflower oil, granulated sugar, two types of flour, table salt, and one-liter packages of cow’s milk—is no longer in effect.

A new action is waiting

Minister of Economic Development and Deputy Prime Minister for Economy Nick Djelosaj stated that following the end of the “Limited Prices,” the department will recommend new measures to the government, anticipated to take effect on May 15.

He made this announcement at the end of April, but the specifics of the measures have yet to be revealed.

“The government, led by the Ministry of Economic Development, is actively working on developing strategies to uphold citizens’ standards. This includes the launch and extension of the ‘Limited Prices’ initiative in various forms, covering over a thousand items. Once the campaign concludes tomorrow (April 30), the Ministry will propose new measures to the government with an expected start date of May 15,” Đeljošaj emphasized.

He further noted that this support initiative will focus on specific products, mainly from domestic producers, to promote local agricultural production while sustaining economic activities and boosting tourism incentives.

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