Gold slumps, food rates up in Kabul

KABUL): The prices of gold declined while the rates sugar and flour went up during the outgoing week in Kabul, market sources said on Thursday.

The value of one gram of Arabian gold fell from 2,100 ($37.1) afghanis to 2,000 afs during the week, said Abdul Basir, a jeweller in the Lycee-i-Maryam neighbourhood.

He added the same amount of the Iranian variety came down to 1,700 afs from last week’s rate of 1,750 afs, linking the decline to global market trends.

The price of a 24-kg bag of Pakistani rice edged up from 1,800afs to 1,820afs, and a 49-kg sack of flour from 1180 afs to 1200 afs.

A 50-kg bag of Pakistani sugar was sold at 1720 afs against its last week price of 1650 afs, Haji Fazl Rahman, the Food Traders’ Union head, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Rates of other food items remained stable, with a five-kg tin of Momin ghee accounting for 400afs, a kilogram of African black tea for 210afs and Indonesian green tea for 175afs.

But wholesale prices varied from retail rates in some parts of the city. Khan Ali, a shopkeeper in the Karta-i-Seh locality, sold a 50-kg sack of Pakistani sugar for 2,000 afs, 24-kg rice for 2,200 and 49-kg Pakistani flour for 1,300 afs.

Fuel prices also stayed stable as one litre of petrol cost 56afs diesel 59afs, according to a filling station owner in the Wazirabad locality, Abdul Hadi.

A kilogram of liquefied gas sold for 45afs, the same rate as last week, said Mohammad Sharif, a dealer in Kolola Pushta neighborhood.

Moneychanger Ahmad Shah said the buying rate of a US dollar was 56.60afs, while 1,000 Pakistani rupees accounted for 560afs. Last week’s exchange value of the dollar stood at 56.50afs and 1,000 Pakistani rupees at 559afs.

myn/mud

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