After the news of the increase in the price of electricity for households in the Republika Srpska was published, the announcement of an increase in the price of a basic food product – bread followed. The exact amount of the increase is not yet known, but it is certain that citizens will pay the new, higher price in a few days.
The Association of Bakers of the RS points out that the increase in energy prices, the increase in electricity costs and higher contributions for workers from the New Year are the main reasons for the increase in prices.
“Most likely, from February 1, the price of sliced bread will be 2 BAM, while a loaf of white bread will cost between 1.80 and 1.90 BAM,” said Radenko Pelemiš from the Association of Millers and Bakers of the Bijeljina Region.
At the same time, consumer associations are expressing dissatisfaction with the free formation of prices, which, in their opinion, allows manufacturers and retailers to increase prices as they see fit. Murisa Marić, president of the Don Association from Prijedor, warns: “As soon as workers receive a slightly higher salary, it is already spent in advance due to rising prices. It will be difficult for an ordinary person to make ends meet in the coming months.”
Citizens are outraged, but not surprised. They believe that the burden of every crisis, including the increase in the price of bread, always falls on them.
“It was not necessary, an even greater burden has been placed on the people’s backs,” some of them said in the survey.
Although flour prices have been stable so far, they are expected to rise slightly, which will further burden household budgets. Chain price increases have already begun, and higher electricity and employee contributions are causing prices to rise in other sectors, including real estate.
“The prices of construction materials are skyrocketing, and the costs of land and labor are getting higher,” stressed Mile Petrović from the RS Construction Association.
While the prices of basic necessities are rising, the size of the consumer basket in Bosnia and Herzegovina is also growing. The most devastating fact is that citizens have to allocate ever-increasing amounts just for basic necessities of life.
