Khachapuri index changes its value in different regions according to seasonal demand and supply peculiarities. The latter are affected by milk production cycles (low in fall and winter, high in spring and summer), Georgia’s religious calendar (e.g. the Great Lent), as well as the ups and downs in tourism.
Given khachapuri’s ubiquity, we used our index to estimate real income per capita for different Georgian locations, measured in khachapuri portions. We do so by dividing the average nominal income in each region (using the latest available GeoStat data from 2014) by the corresponding Kh-Index (average for last 12 months). The result of this division stands for the number of (real) khachapuri portions a family can afford in each city of interest.
As can be seen from the chart, the wealthier Georgian regions are wealthier in both nominal and real terms. Not only does an average Tbilisi household enjoy higher nominal income, but also – despite facing higher prices – it is able to maintain a higher level of consumption compared with other Georgian locations. Measured in khachapuri portions, the gap between the average households in Tbilisi and Telavi stands at exactly 100 portions per month.
More Khachapuri Index Articles
June, 2021 | Khachapuri Index Increases by 8.8%
In June 2021, the average price of cooking one Imeretian khachapuri stood at 4.28 GEL. Compared to the previous month (May 2021) the Khachapuri Index lost 1.1%. In annual terms (compared to June 2020), however, the index added 8.8%. The monthly (negative) change in the Index follows the traditional seasonal trend in fresh milk production, which peaks in June and July. In June 2021 price of cheese has decreased by 2.5% compared to the previous… Read More
May, 2021 | Food Prices Stay High
The average cost of cooking one standard Imeretian khachapuri currently stands at 4.33 GEL, which is 6.9% lower month-on-month (compared to April 2021), and 5.6% higher year-on-year (compared to May 2020). The main contributor to the price change is a seasonal decrease in the price of cheese, which fell by -13.1%, compared to the previous month (April 2021). The official estimate of annual price inflation, published by GeoStat, also shows that CPI increased by 7.7%… Read More
April, 2021 | Khachapuri Index Increases by 6%
The average cost of cooking one standard Imeretian khachapuri in April 2021 was 4.65 GEL. The Index gained 1% compared to the previous month (March 2021). Usually, at this time of year, seasonal declining trend is expected, which is largely driven by a springtime adjustment of the price of milk and milk products. However, the depreciation of the Georgian lari against the US dollar still has an upward pressure on the price of imported khachapuri… Read More
March, 2021 | Kh-Index Continues to Fall in March 2021
The Khachapuri Index kept declining in March 2021, with the average cost of cooking one standard Imeretian khachapuri reaching 4.61 GEL. This is 1.7% lower month-on-month (compared to February 2021), and 3.4% higher year-on-year (compared to March 2020). The Index lost ground in all Georgian cities and experienced the largest drop in Kutaisi (of 3.1%), which also appears to be the cheapest location. Due to the decline, the price of one standard Imeretian khachapuri in… Read More
February, 2021 | Will Wheat Price Increase Further?
In February 2021, the average cost of cooking one standard portion of Imeretian khachapuri stood at 4.69 GEL. This is 3.1% lower MoM (compared to January 2021) and 7.8% higher YoY (in comparison to February of 2020). On a monthly basis, at this time of the year, a downward trend in the index is not unusual, and simply relates to the decreasing price of cheese (due to an increased seasonal supply of fresh milk). Although… Read More
