Epress.am News from Armenia
Closely cooperating with more than 6,000 dairy farmers and village households, local dairy company Ashtarak Kat purchased milk at a price 35% higher in 2011 than in 2010, according to a company press statement, which sought to explain why the prices of some Ashtarak Kat goods rose this year.
The company notes that taking into account even certain seasonal fluctuations, which exist every year compared to the same period in the previous year, the noted increase was always kept at the same level, while during this period, imported raw materials, packaging and fuel prices rose by 10–50%.
Such a sharp increase in wholesale price was not reflected in the cost of Ashtarak Kat products for a long time, notes the company, assuring the public that it even suffered losses in some cases.
Furthermore, in order to reduce the impact on the consumer, Ashtarak Kat opted to review its consumer prices in stages. Thus, the current price increase is tantamount to the wholesale price increase of dairy, reads the statement.
Recall, earlier the State Commission for the Protection of Economic Competition of the Republic of Armenia monitored the dairy market and finding price increases, instructed Ashtarak Kat to provide details regarding its sales volume, as well as the grounds for increasing prices to the state body.