Afghans are on the threshold of marking the three days of Eid-ul-Fitr as the holy month of Ramadan is about to end. Unfortunately, poverty, unemployment, hunger, high price of foodstuffs and drought in some parts of the country are a range of challenges facing the people particularly miserable families in the country. Although the country’s markets are full of clothes, foodstuffs and other necessary goods, most people have no money to go markets to purchase enough foods or new clothes to better mark the Eid days in the country.
The other challenge facing the people in big cities is that the price of foodstuffs and clothes are not the same in one market to another. The prices are different and even high comparing to world markets.
Kabul residents say that with increasing unemployment and low income some each families get per month, it is too difficult for families to purchase enough food and clothes for their children as the prices of the stuffs are so high.
A shopkeeper in a Kabul market Muhaiuddin says families usually buy dry fruits to better host their relatives during the Eid days, but the prices of each kg of dry fruits have increased unprecedentedly.
“For example, the price of 1kg almond has reach to 1,500 AFG, 1kg Iranian pistachio to 1,500 AFG and the price of 1kg walnut to 1,200 AFG, which is very expensive for a family,” Muhaiuddin added.
He further said that the price of 1kg cookies has reached to almost 300. Ahead of Eid, most Afghans fear price rise of food essentials across the country.
This comes amid of increasing unemployment and poverty in the country. The prices of essential food items general soar around a major festival like Eid duo to the increase of in their demand.
Fresh food with the highest price increase prediction ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr is nearly 20 – 30 percent. Overall, food needs before Ramadan increased by an average of 20 percent and ahead of Eid an average of 30 percent. Afghans are asking the Islamic Emirate (IEA) to control the prices of essential food items particularly during the holy month of Ramadan and ahead of Eid days. Qarizada
Foodstuffs & clothes’ prices increase in Kabul markets
