Despite the fact that Ashgabat is experiencing irregular supply of groceries to state-run stores, the residents of the provinces head to the capital hoping to buy cheap bread, flour and oil.
For instance, the inhabitants of Serdar (formerly, Gyzylarbat) pay regular visits to Ashgabat. According to them, the flour quotas in their home town have been reduced from 6 kilos per person a month to 10 kilos per the entire household. Moreover, they are required to present copies of passports and children’s birth certificates.
The residents ask their wealthy relatives or acquaintances to hand over flour coupons to them since they cannot afford to purchase groceries in privately-owned retail outlets, which offer more expensive prices.
After buying a couple of flat breads or 3 to 4 kilos of flour, the residents of Serdar go back to their home town by bus.
“Chronicles of Turkmenistan” has previously reported that the drivers with regional car plates, who travel from the capital, are stopped by police officers and prevented from taking the groceries out of Ashgabat.
For the time being, however, it is not clear whether the police are guided by the instructions issued by higher-ranking law enforcement authorities or this is a personal “initiative” of the road police officers.
The police officers do not check those who exit the capital in buses.
In the meantime, the situation in Ashgabat’s state-run stores is also exacerbating.Flour and bread is supplied to retail outlets irregularly.
Those who stock up on cheap food products to subsequently resell them to privately-owned stores keep vigil in front of the stores.When outraged residents who buy bread for themselves complain, they respond that they have no other jobs and they also need to provide for their families.
Heated arguments and even fights are common in the queues. For instance, on 7 November as a result of a large-scale fight in Ashgabat the shop windows were broken in the grocery store located on Kalinina street which stretches along the railway track.
“Akhal” vegetable oil, which was sold at 3,40 manats per a one liter bottle, has not been available in the stores for a week.According to shop assistants, the oil is unavailable owing to this year’s poor cotton harvest.
In privately-owned stores a bottle of “Akhal” oil can be purchased at 11 manats.However, the oil is sold under the counters out of fear of inspections.
Imported oil, for instance Russian-made “Oleina” now costs 16 manats per a 1 liter bottle.
“Ak-pamyk” oil is available at affordable government-established price of 2,5 manats per liter but customers complain about unpleasant smell and very poor quality. It has previously been sold in bottles but at the moment only “on tap”.