Competition in meat prices

The prices of agricultural products showed a rise of 11,1 per cent in January/March 2007, compared to a year earlier. The prices of vegetables grew by 2,8 per cent, while that of fruits increased by 17,3 per cent in the same period. The price of potatoes showed an increase of 76,9 per cent in the first quarter of the year, compared to the same period last year. The price of livestock intended for slaughter was 1,5 per cent lower in January/March than a year before (that of poultry grew by 9,3 per cent, while that of swine fell by 8,9 per cent).