Gas, fuel prices increase in Kabul

KABUL): Fuel prices shot up in the capital Kabul, where rates of other daily-use items remained unchanged, during the outgoing week, retailers said on Thursday.

The price of one litre of petrol increased from 85 afghanis ($1.7) to 59afs, while the same amount of diesel cost 62afs against last week’s rate of 60afs, a fuel station worker in the Taimani Square, Mohammad Siddiqui, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

However, he said there had been no surge in fuel prices in the international markets during the week. A barrel of raw fuel sold for $99.30 in New York and for $98 in Asian markets, the same as last week.

The price of 560 kilograms of unpeeled oak went up to 7,500afs from last week’s rate of 6,500afs, said a firewood stall owner in the Kalola Pushta locality, Fazal Ahmad.

An increase of 1,000afs was seen in the rate of 560kg of peeled oak, whose last week’s rate was 6,300afs. Its Thursday’s rate was 7,300afs, Ahmad said. The rate of cedar increased by 200afs to 5,500afs.

A kilogram of gas sold for 90afs against its previous rate 55 afs before Eid-ul-Adha, showing an increase of 35afs.

The Ministry of Commerce on Sunday fixed the rate of one kilogram of gas at 55afs in Kabul, but the decision is yet to be implemented.

One kilogram of liquefied gas sold for 85afs, same as last week’s price, said a Salim Karwan-based gas dealer, Faizullah.

A 50-kilogram bag of Brazilian sugar was priced at 2,200afs, the same amount of Pakistani flour at 1070afs and rice at 2,500afs, said the Food Traders’ Union head.

Haji Fazlul Rahman said the rates of other food items remained unchanged. A five-kg can of Spin Ghar ghee accounted for 420afs, a kilo of black tea for 190afs and the same amount of green tea for 160afs.

Wholesale rates of food items differed from retail prices in some parts of the city. Noor Aqa, a shopkeeper in the Taimani locality, said he sold a 50-kg sack of Pakistani flour for 1,100afs.

The same amount of Pakistani rice cost 2,700afs and a 50-kg bag of Brazilian sugar 2,400afs, he added. A five-kg tin of ghee was priced at 460afs, a kg of African back tea at 200afs and the same amount of Indonesian green tea at 180afs.

Jeweller Abdul Basir said one gram of Arabian gold sold for 2,300afs, and the same amount of the Iranian variety for 1,900afs.

Although the money market remained closed for a second on Thursday due to public holidays in connection with the ongoing Loya Jirga, the buying rate of a US dollar was 48.45afs and 1,000 Pakistani rupees 565afs. Last week’s exchange value of the greenback stood at 48afs and 1,000 Pakistani rupees at 560afs.

myn/ma

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