In March 2016, the average cost of cooking one standard Imeretian Khachapuri stood at 3.27GEL, which is 5% lower month-on-month (m/m, that is compared to the previous month), but 6.9% higher year-on-year (y/y, that is compared to the same month of last year).
For foreign currency earners, however, the Khachapuri Index dropped both m/m and y/y.
Even though last month we saw the Georgian lari slightly appreciating against both USD and EUR, this appreciation was more than compensated for by the seasonal decline in the price of cheese (the main khachapuri ingredient).
In yearly comparison, the khachapuri, like many other Georgian products, is cheaper when valued in foreign currency thanks to the large y/y depreciation of the lari.
When expressed in USD, the Khachapuri Index lost 1.3% in m/m and 1.9% in y/y. For those who receive their income in EUR, the price of a khachapuri decreased by 1.1% m/m and by 4.1% y/y.
Bon appétit!