The average prices of essential food items targeted by the ordinance capping commercial markups have decreased by up to 49% in major retail chains in August of this year compared to June 2023, according to data analyzed by the Competition Council.

The most significant reductions were observed in fruits and vegetables: the average price of plums dropped by 49%, grapes by 47%, while tomatoes, onions, yellow bell peppers, carrots, and potatoes became 31% to 37% cheaper in August 2023 compared to June 2023.

In the dairy category, the average price of telemea cheese is 16.3% lower, yogurt is 10.5% cheaper, and milk is 6.2% less expensive. It's worth noting that milk continues to be covered by a voluntary agreement to reduce its price by 20%, implemented since May.

The prices of other products found in the consumer basket, such as flour, bread, cornmeal, cooking oil, eggs, and sugar, also decreased throughout August. Regarding poultry and pork, their prices decreased in August compared to June, with the exception of bone-in pork leg, which saw a slight 2% increase in price.

"In the analyses carried out throughout August, we noted that most stores implemented price reductions for basic food items. We found that the average prices of some foods gradually decreased, including yogurt, cornmeal, pork, onions, carrots, bell peppers, plums, and grapes. However, there are products like bread, flour, and eggs for which prices fluctuated but remained below the average price of June," said Bogdan Chirițoiu, President of the Competition Council.

It is worth mentioning that on August 1, 2023, the Emergency Government Ordinance came into effect, which establishes temporary measures to combat excessive price increases for 14 groups of essential foods: bread, milk, cheese, yogurt, flour, cornmeal, eggs, sunflower oil, fresh chicken meat, fresh pork meat, bulk fresh vegetables, bulk fresh fruits, bulk fresh potatoes, and sugar.

The competition authority has published guidelines on transferring price reductions from the supply chain to resale prices and clarifications regarding the application of the cumulative commercial markup limit within the distribution activity, a limitation provided by the emergency ordinance 67/2023 on establishing a temporary measure to combat excessive price increases for certain agricultural and food products.