Retail food prices in Tbilisi supermarkets increased by 1.4% m/m (that is, compared to the middle of February) and 3.8% y/y (that is, compared to March of 2016). On a biweekly basis, the biggest price increases happened for eggplants, onions, and rice (price increased by 34.3%, 21.7%, and 19.2%, respectively).

In January, the cost of cooking one standard Imeretian khachapuri continued to increase, ranging from 3.56 GEL (Batumi and Tbilisi) to 3.92 GEL (Kutaisi), with the average cost being 3.67 GEL. The new average price is 1.9% higher than the price in January 2016. As for month-to-month development, the price of khachapuri is 1.3% higher compared to the previous month (December 2016).

In January, the cost of cooking one standard Imeretian khachapuri continued to increase, ranging between 3.56 GEL (Batumi and Tbilisi) and 3.92 GEL (Kutaisi), with the average cost being 3.67 GEL. The new average price is 1.9% higher than the price in January 2016. As for month-to-month development, the price of khachapuri is 1.3% higher compared to the previous month (December 2016).

By the end of January, food prices in Tbilisi’s major supermarkets had increased by 7.2% compared to December 2016. Although prices increased m/m, there was a slight decrease in prices y/y. Food prices declined by 5.5% compared to January 2016.

The average cost of cooking one standard Imeretian khachapuri in January 2017 across Georgian cities varied from 3.56 GEL (prices observed in Tbilisi and Telavi were exactly the same) to 3.92 GEL (observed in Kutaisi). The overall average price was 3.67 GEL, which is 1.3% higher compared to the previous month (December 2016), and 1.9% higher compared to same month last year (January 2016).