In September 2018, the Khachapuri Index showed an upward seasonal trend, reaching 3.56 GEL. This is a 3.7% increase over the previous month (August 2018), but is 2.1% lower compared to September 2017 (y/y). Such an increase in prices at this time of year is not unique to the Khachapuri Index. The index is up due to the seasonal decline in the supply of milk and cheese (the main and most expensive khachapuri ingredient), with the supply of fresh milk falling from its peak of May/June.
The average cost of cooking one standard Imeretian khachapuri increased in all major Georgian cities. The price of khachapuri varied across Georgian cities ranging from 3.50 GEL, the minimum observed in Tbilisi, to 3.64 GEL, the maximum observed in Telavi. The high prices of khachapuri can be easily explained by the fact that it is currently Rtveli (harvest) season in Kakheti. Rtveli celebrations start at the end of August and continue until the middle of October. Over this period, Kakheti is very attractive for tourists.
In the home city of Imeretian cheese (Kutaisi) we observe the highest price increase compared to the previous month (August 2018). It is expected that this price increase will be shortly transmitted to other cities in Georgia.
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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
