Food prices rise as holy Ramadan arrives

The principal challenge of Ramadan is the holy month’s dawn-to dusk fasting, but for the poorest in Afghanistan, breaking the fast come nighttime can be more difficult, at least in practical terms, than keeping it during the day.

That’s because Ramadan, which started on Monday, 6th June, is often accompanied by exaggerated food prices.

Sharply rising meat and other goods prices in Kabul have hit celebrations for the holy month of Ramadan, during which tradition dictates that families host large meals, and prompted concerns over food price inflation across the region.

The increase in the cost of meat comes as rising world food prices have sparked fears too.

The trade leaders and retailers with deepest concern said that the good prices in Kabul market increased as Ramadan arrived and this is the matter of great concern for the nation.

The absence of full control over good prices and sustainable natural resources management has led the country to extreme poverty.

Most of the citizens with low job opportunities spend more than half of their income on food while the house rent remains completely dependent on the same amount of their earnings whereas most of them are living in rented houses; therefore, they cannot even cope with their fundamental necessities.

In the meantime, Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) said that these problems will be solved up to the next week.

Despite government efforts to control prices, the cost of food can increase during Ramadan as demand surges for staples such as rice, bread and sugar.

Increases in the cost of basic food items have already contributed to a return of inflationary pressures this year.