KULOB, February 11, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- The price for a 50-kilgram sack of flour has risen more than 10 percent in Kulob – from 130.00 somoni on February 10 to 145.00 somoni.

Local experts attribute this sudden spike in flour prices to information about sale of flour from a national reserve.  “Local merchants are trying to use the moment until local authorities begin sell-out,” the experts say.

The source at the Kulob mayor’s office says state-run fairs to sell flour at restricted prices may take place in the city tomorrow.

In the meantime, prices of other food products are also continuing to rise in the city.  The price of one kilogram of cabbages has risen more than twice over the past week – from 2.00 somoni to 4.50 somoni.  Local merchants say the price hike has resulted from increasing cabbage prices in Dushanbe.  Kulob merchants reportedly bring cabbage from Dushanbe.

Onion and potato prices have risen 13 and 8 percent respectively over the past week.  Milk prices have risen 20 percent over the report period.