The average cost of cooking one standard Imeretian khachapuri in the second month of 2018 dropped to 3.67 GEL, which is 1.2% lower month-on-month (compared to January 2018), and only 0.3% higher year-on-year (compared to February 2017).

As we suspected would happen in the previous publication, Khachapuri Index continued declining in monthly terms in all Georgian cities. The highest monthly drop was observed in Kutaisi (-2.9% compared to January 2018).

Markets in all cities offered great bargains for those frugal people among us who care to look for the least expensive ingredients. Kutaisi offers the best saving potential for frugal consumers, who would pay only 3.10 GEL for one portion of khachapuri, saving nearly a solid 17% of the local average price.

As is shown in the graph, those who search for the lowest prices can buy one portion of khachapuri at approximately the same price in Kutaisi, Telavi, and Batumi (for 3.10 GEL, 3.09 GEL, and 3.15 GEL, respectively). Considering average as well as minimum prices, Tbilisi is currently one of the most expensive markets for khachapuri lovers. In spite of the fact that Tbilisi offers good bargains for those who seek low-cost products, still, the minimum price for one portion of khachapuri is highest in the capital city. One of the possible explanations might be the fact that the dairy market has become increasingly regulated in Georgia. As cheese is the main ingredient of khachapuri and drives the Khachapuri Index, variable cheese prices in bazaars offer saving potential to frugal consumers. The bazaars in big cities might currently be undergoing stricter checks than other cities, offering less room for price differences.