Bread price grows in Georgia

Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze criticises his country's ministry of agriculture for raising bread and flour prices.

"The ministry of food and agriculture did not have information on the domestic market situation and failed to avert increasing bread prices," Shevardnadze told the national radio Monday.

"If the increase in bread prices is economically inevitable, then socially exposed groups must be provided with compensation. This decision was taken before the liberalisation of bread prices," Shevardnadze said. However, according to him, "some Georgian officials have too short a memory".

Flour prices in Georgia increased since early July from 22 to 32 lari per sack ($1 equals 2.14 lari). This led to an increase in bread prices.