ESTONIA – ECONOMY
In addition to significant increases in food prices, the prices of toilet paper and household paper have skyrocketed as a result of rising energy prices.
Every shopper has probably noticed that the price of the food basket has become much higher than before. However, the prices of toilet and household paper have also risen steadily over the past year and, according to representatives of various supermarket chains, this year’s price increase will be around 40-50%.
Rivo Veski, communications manager at Selver, said that the price increase was due to higher gas and electricity prices from 24 February last year.
“Paper machines are heated by steam, which is produced from gas. The production and packaging lines run on electricity,” he explained. “Paper production is very energy intensive and the price of pulp has also been a factor affecting the price of the product. Demand in the global market is increasing, which was the main reason for the price increase.”
In addition, the price increase was significantly affected by the termination of the supply of cheaper pulp from Russia.
Prisma retail chain spokeswoman Kristina Tamberg said that consumer behaviour had recently shown a more careful choice and search for discounted goods.
According to Tamberg, prices are expected to continue to rise at the same pace as in 2022, but the economic outlook is that the rising cost of raw materials will have an impact and prices are not expected to stabilise until the second half of the year.
Source: ERR
