The World - News from May 18, 1988

Flour, sugar and other staples are in short supply in the Belgrade, Yugoslavia, area because residents are stocking up in anticipation of huge price increases later this month, newspapers reported. Coffee disappeared first from Belgrade shops. City authorities said they would dip into emergency reserves to supply 250 tons of coffee to consumers, the Vecernje Novosti daily reported. Local media reported about 80% of the country’s manufacturers have announced that they will boost prices when the government lifts a price freeze later this month. New prices are expected to be about 50% to 70% higher than the current ones.