Pashinyan Discusses Rise in Prices of Alcohol and Food Staples

The increase in alcohol prices is linked to changes in tax legislation, as there is now a new minimum price concept for alcohol. This was stated by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during a live broadcast on his Facebook page today, March 17.

"The price increase is exclusively related to this and there has been no price change before and after the coronavirus. Secondly, I have been informed that there has been no change in the prices of antiseptic gels before and after the coronavirus. Price changes are occurring in food staples such as buckwheat, lentils, and so on. This is connected to the fact that people are making panic purchases. It has already been stated that stores and networks do not have shortages of any products in their warehouses. I am told that the sales of large supermarket chains have increased by an average of 30-40 percent, while sales in smaller kiosks have decreased.

I want to call on everyone not to forget about small and medium businesses. I understand that it is more convenient to shop at supermarkets, but today there is a large quantity of goods accumulated in small kiosks and stores, which have issues selling those products, " said Pashinyan.