OREANDA-NEWS. July 14, 2010. Affordability of majority of consumer goods in Russia increased in the last 20 years. This is the conclusion analysts of audit and consulting company FBK came to, compiling a peculiar rating of goods affordability for population. Therefore estimation of how many units (kg., l) could be purchased with one average monthly salary in 2009 comparing to 1990 was carried out. An average monthly salary of employees in 1990 was 303 RUR, in 2009 – 18 785 RUR, reported the press-centre of FBK.

According to Igor Nikolaev, Director of Strategic Analysis Department, the absolute leader in the list of affordable goods is vodka – it became 5,3 times more affordable. “While in 1990 16,6 liters of vodka could have been purchased with one salary, in 2009 it was already 87,8 liters”, the expert noted.

The second position in the rating of affordable goods is taken by cognac, its affordability increased 2,7 times. Hence as FBK analysts note, strong spirits over the years of market economy establishing got much more affordable. However no considerable increase in alcohol consumption per capita has been evidenced. According to Igor Nikolaev, this showing remains stably high – about 10 liters of absolute spirits per capita a year.

Relatively cheaper, thus more affordable, according to FBK rating, in the last twenty years, became champagne, onions, eggs, poultry, apples and few other goods (see the table. In Russian).

However a number of goods, comparing to Soviet times became relatively more expensive for consumer. As such can be referred to beer, which affordability decreased by 7,9%, cheese – by 18,5%, beef – by 23,2%, pork – by 26,4 % etc. At the same time the analyst emphasized that in terms of all goods namely affordability is considered. “Meat has really got less affordable, but not less available, as in 1990 in a lot of the regions of the country, it was just very difficult to find it to buy”, the expert reminded.

In the final positions in the rating of affordability of Russian goods is fish. While in 1990 one could buy with an average monthly salary 606 kg of frozen fish, in 2009 it was 238,8 kg.

“The data presented, though in terms of a limited list of consumer goods disposes of the popular belief that the amount of goods increased, but it’s impossible to buy them”, Igor Nikolaev concluded. According to him, affordability of no less than half of goods increased. “Notwithstanding huge expenses of population, establishing of market economy in Russia shows rather obvious benefits illustrated by the numbers provided”, the expert concluded.