Belarusians Saving On Food Due To Raise Of Communal Services Tariffs

In the third quarter, the share of the consumer spendings of the Belarusians on the communal services grew, while the expenses for food decreased.

In the third quarter of 2016 the share of the consumer expenditures of the Belarusian households for the communal and utility services grew, and the expenses for food decreased, the BelaPAN news agency reports with a reference to the National Statistical Committee.

In the structure of household consumption expenditures, the share of food expenses was 40,6% (in the third quarter of 2015 – 40,9%), for the purchase of alcoholic beverages and tobacco – 3,2% (2,2%). On payment for non-food products Belarusians spent 33% (35,1%), including shoes and clothing – 8,2% (7,9%), personal items – 2,3% (2,1%), household items and home appliances – 4,3% (4,7%).

23,2% of consumer spending (against 21,8% last year) went for payment for the services, including utility services – 6,1% (5.2%), health and sanitation and medical services – 1,2% (1% ), the education services – 1,4% (1,5%), cultural institutions, sports, tourist and excursion services – 2,7% (3,1%), public transport – 2,3% (2,2%) , and communications – 4,7% (4,1%).

In the third quarter of 2016, consumption of a number of food products reduced: bread and cereal products – 7 kg per month per household member in the third quarter of 2015 to 6,9 kg in the third quarter of 2016; milk and dairy products –from 23,9 to 23,2 kg; meat and meat products – from 6,5 to 6,2 kg; fish and fish products – from 1,2 to 1 kg; fruits and berries – from 5,2 to 4,8 kg. Consumption of oil , margarine and other fats remained unchanged – 0,8 kg, potatoes – 5,3 kg, sugar and confectionery – 2,4 kg. Consumption of eggs Increased from 17 to 18 pieces, vegetables and melons – from 8,5 to 8,6 kg.

Consumer spendings are the financial expenditures of households on food (including catering), alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, non-food goods and services. The structure of consumption expenditures do not include taxes and insurance premiums, material assistance and other expenses not related to consumption, as well as all costs associated with manufacturing of agricultural products at private farmsteads and accumulation (deposits in banks, buying real estate, foreign currency, and so hereinafter).