Dried fruit prices up by 50pc ahead of Eid

KABUL): As Eidul Fitr draws near, prices of dried fruits have escalated by 50 percent in the capital Kabul, residents and shopkeepers said.

Traditionally, Afghans wear new clothes on Eid day and visit friends and relatives after Eid prayers. The guests are served with dried fruits, cakes, and cookies baked at home.

As the festival approaches, shopping is gaining momentum with people buying various items ranging from clothes to footwear and other things they would need on the day.

Surrounded by a huge crowd, a dried fruits seller in the third Micro Rayan locality, Sirajuddin, said the prices of pistachio, walnut, almond and pine nuts had gone up, compared to their last year’s rates.

He sold a kilogram of pistachio for 700 afghanis against its last year’s price of 450 afs, the same quantity of almond cost 750 afghanis against its previous rate of 400 afs, a kilogram of green raisin that sold for 350 afs last year cost 500 afghanis this time.

Last year rate of a kilogram of walnuts was 500, but it has increased by 100 afghanis. A kilogram of pine-nuts is sold for 1,400 afghanis while its previous rate was 900 afs. Similarly, the rate of channa rose from 160 to 200 afghanis. 

However, there has been little surge in prices of other items used during Eid days. A kilogram cake was sold for 140 afghanis, the same quantity of cookies cost 120 afghanis, a kg of sweet 220 afghanis, chocolate 250 afghanis and mulberry 200 afghanis.

Ahmad Zia, 29, hailing from Bibe Mehro area, said: “I don’t believe that dried fruits have become such expensive. I have 2,000 afghanis in my pocket and am indecisive whether to buy dried fruit or cookies or cake,” a confused Zia said

mm/ma 

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