Gold, food prices up in Kabul

KABUL): Prices of gold and daily-use commodities went up during the outgoing week in the central capital Kabul, retailers said on Thursday.

Abdul Basir, a jeweller in the Lycee-i-Maryam neighbourhood, told Pajhwok Afghan News the price of one gram of Arabian gold increased from 2,450 afs ($46) to 2,500 afs.

The same amount of the Iranian variety jumped from 2,100 afs to 2,150 afs, he said, linking the surge to global market trends.

The price of a 50-kg bag of Pakistani flour rose from 1,050afs to 10,80afs and the same amount of rice from 3,100afs to 3,150afs, said Haji Fazl Rahman, the Food Traders’ Union head.

 A 50-kilogram bag of Pakistani sugar soared to 1,850afs from last week’s rate of 1,820afs. A five-kg tin of Momin ghee cost 10afs more and was sold for 410afs, he added.

But wholesale prices varied from retail rates in some parts of the city. Mohammad Osman, a shopkeeper in the Forth Macro Ryan locality, sold a 50-kg sack of Pakistani rice for 3,800 afs and a 50-kg bag of sugar for 2,200 afs.

Similarly, Pakistani flour was priced at 1,150 afs, a five-kg can of Momin ghee at 460 afs, a kilogram of African back tea at 260 afs and Indonesian green tea at 200 afs, he said.

Moneychanger Ahmad Shah said the buying rate of a US dollar was 52.97 afs, while 1,000 Pakistani rupees accounted for 556 afs. Last week’s exchange value of the greenback stood at 52.30 afs and 1,000 Pakistani rupees at 550afs, he said.

Fuel prices remained unchanged during the week, with a litre of petrol costing 58 afs and diesel 63 afs, said Hashmatullah, a filling station owner in the Taimani area.

A gas dealer in the same locality, Mohammad Wazir, said one kilogram of liquefied gas sold for 55 afs, the same price as last week’s.

myn/mud

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