According to February 2009 data released by the State Commission for Commodity Exchanges and Wholesale Markets, the price of cooking oil fell by 6 per cent from January, flour and sugar dropped by 1.4 per cent, rice and pulse by 1-2.5 per cent, dairy products by 2-3 per cent. There was no change in egg prices the prices of meat products steadied.

Year-on-year, cooking oil lost 36 per cent, flour 32 per cent, cow's cheese 14 per cent, Vitosha yellow cheese 2 per cent, sugar 4 per cent.

Although in February rice and pulse sold cheaper than in January, their prices were higher year-on-year: rice was up 69 per cent, lentils 31 per cent, haricot beans 11 per cent. The February 2009 prices of all meat products, fish and eggs were higher than the prices in February 2008: mackerel, frankfurters and perishable sausages went up by 30 per cent and eggs by 11 per cent.

In February 2009 the price of hot-house tomatoes fell by 12 per cent from January, of apples by 10 per cent, of cabbage and oranges by 2 per cent.

There was no any significant change in the price of garlic. However, hot-house cucumbers continued their upward tendency and their price rose by 19 per cent. Tangerines were up by 11 per cent, potatoes and bananas by 2 per cent. There was no change in the price level of lemons.

Year-on-year, the prices of most fruit and vegetables declined. In february 2009 cabbage dropped by 53 per cent compared with February 2008; garlic dropped by 36 per cent, lemons by 31 per cent, apples by 22 per cent, hot-house tomatoes and potatoes by 10-15 per cent, bananas and oranges by 4-5 per cent. Hot-house cucumbers gained 27 per cent year-on-year, and tangerines 4 per cent.

Source: BTA