KABUL: When compared with last year’s days preceding Eidul Fitr, an average 18 percent increase in prices of dried fruits and cookies can be noted in capital Kabul.
Afghans wear new suits on Eid days and after offering Eid prayer, they visit relatives and friends at their homes and serve guests with different kinds of fruits, cakes and cookies.
During days ahead of Eid, bazaars are fully crowded as Afghans before Eid make special preparations and purchase Eid-needed food stuff for own houses.
Though some vendors claim a decline in food sales, but crowds in Kabul city are like last year’s in days before Eid.
Wahidullah, a grocery seller in Pul-i-Bagh-e-Umumi area of Kabul city, told Pajhwok Afghan News food prices have increased as compared to last year’s these days.
He said the price of a kilogram of high quality almonds increased from 1100 afghanis to 1200 afs, one kilo of walnuts from 700 afs to 800 afs, one kilo of pistachios from 700 afs to 850 afs, one kilo of raisins from 500 afs to 550 afs and kilo of chickpeas from 160 afs to 240afs.
According to Wahidullah, a kilo of cake and cookies price also increased from 130 afs to 140afs.
He saw the devaluation of the afghani against foreign currencies as main reason behind the hike in prices.
According to Pajhwok reports, this year the prices of food items increased by 35 percent compared to 1391 solar year.
Today, the exchange value of one US dollar against afghani is 68.40 which was four years back 51afs.
Wahidullah said due to lowered economic status of people the sales of Eid stuff had decreased by 50 percent compared to last year’s Eid days.
Shah Lala, another shopkeeper in Froshgah area, confirmed the hike in prices and decrease in sales.
“Last year was a good year because we sold 100 to 150kg of dried fruits on a daily basis during the last 10 days of Ramadan until Eid, but this year sales are very down.”
However, people complained about huge crowds in Kabul city. A resident of Macro Rayan area, Roya while purchasing Eid stuff in Pul-e-Baghe Umumi, said people these days thronged Kabul city bazaars in great numbers, making difficult movement from one shop to another.
She also complained about price-hike. “Dried fruits prices vary from shop to shop. Every shopkeeper praises his goods and I am confused which one to buy in such a warm weather and crowded bazaar.”
