PRICES OF FOOD PRODUCTS INCREASE AFTER INTRODUCTION OF V.A.T.

( Editorial: --> 2062 ) ZAGREB, Jan 2 (Hina) - Prices of a large number of food products have gone up in leading grocery shop chains in Zagreb after the introduction of Value Added Tax at a blanket rate of 22 per cent on January 1. Prices of food products in Konzum shops increased on the average by 5.36 per cent. All types of bread, except mixed flour bread, went up by 20-22 per cent; milk, except fresh milk, by 22 per cent and milk products by 5.65 per cent. Prices of cooking oil increased by 22 per cent, sugar by 16.27 per cent, and meat, eggs, fruit and vegetables by 5.65 per cent, the same as detergents and toilet paper. On the other hand, prices of beer decreased by 4.75 per cent, wine by 4.10 per cent and coffee by 1 per cent. Another retailer, Diona, said prices of its food products would not rise by more than six per cent on the average. The Nama department store said that prices of about 70 per cent of its products, primarily leather goods and textiles, would decrease on the average by 3.5 per cent. However, prices of basic foodstuffs went up, most noticeably those of sugar and cooking oil - 14 per cent. The HEP state electricity board said that the price of electric power for households would not be changed. Prices of daily newspapers "Novi List" of Rijeka and "Slobodna Dalmacija" of Split increased from 4.5 to 5 kuna. The Zagreb-based "Vecernji List" daily was expected to increase its price on January 12 while "Vjesnik" said that its price would remain unchanged. (hina) vm mm 021852 MET jan 98