Transnistrian experts say increase in fuel prices will be followed by food price rises

Experts from the Transnistrian region anticipate that the prices of the food products will rise by 40-60% following the increase in the price of fuel. The grains, dairy products, salt and bread will grow dearer the most, Info-Prim Neo reports. Analysts say that the pensioners will be the most affected. They make up for one third of the region’s population (135,000 people). According to the Transnistrian ministry of health and social protection, the minimum old-age pension is 259 Transnistrian rubles (about 340 lei), the social pension – 130 rubles (approximately 170 lei), while the maximum old-age pension – 370 rubles (about 490 lei). The pensions this year will be increased only according to the projected inflation coefficient of 12%. Actually the inflation rose by over 30%. “Unfortunately, the ratio between the minimum pension and the minimum consumer basket in Transnistria will decrease from 61% to 46.4%,” said the representative of the pension fund, Tamara Yudina, at the meeting of the supreme soviet of Transnistria. Besides the rises in food products, the pensioners will also feel the possible increases in transport services. Urban pensioners can travel by bus and minibus free of charge within the area of the settlements were they live, while rural pensioners only within the area of the administrative unit.