Opposition says monopolies causing food price increases

TIRANA, August 29 – The opposition Socialist Party says the recent bread price increases are a result of the monopolies government allows operating in the wholesale flour market. This was denounced last weekend by Socialist Party deputy Eglantina Gjermeni who said the bread price increases two weeks ago had brought a chain reaction in the price increase of basic food basket.
Denouncing the poor financial situation of Albanian households, Gjermeni called on government to carry out controls on monopolies and not bakeries, which she said were “customers of flour monopolies.”
“Bread prices have increased again in many cities reaching up to 100 lek (1 dollar),” said Gjermeni, adding that the situation was affecting one in every four Albanian households.
“Government policies to increase some import and excise taxes and its approach to fill up the empty state coffers are impoverishing the Albanian families,” added Gjermeni.