KABUL (Pajhwok): Most shopkeepers in capital Kabul said people were less interested in Eid shopping due to financial issues while some were satisfied with the market condition and their daily income.
Muslims have two Eids in a year — Eid –Ul- Fitr and Eid –Ul- Adha — traditionally and historically, families in Afghanistan buy fresh and dried fruits every year before Eid and prepare them for their guests.
Now there are almost four days left until to Eid-Ul-Fitr, and the markets of Kabul have taken on a new color with the stalls of dry fruits and colorful clothes in the shops.
Mohammad Fahim, one of the dry fruit sellers in the Taimani area of Kabul, said public economic situation was not good this time comparing to past years and there was the reason behind dwindling market condition.
He also linked the problem with the high prices and added in the past we were unable to find free time when four or five days were left to Eid.
He said the prices of some dried fruits were stable while some jumped, adding if dried fruits are not exported to foreign nations their price remain stable in the local market.
Mohammad Nabi, one of the sweets sellers in the Mandavi area of Kabul, while referring to his business said: “It is fair, thanks, things are just moving.”
He said comparing to normal days their business bloomed in these days due to Eid-Ul-Fitr.
Mohammad Yousuf, one of the bakeries sellers in the Pul-i-Bagh Omumi area of Kabul, said due to inflation and lack of work people were less interested in Eid shopping. He said comparing to last year’s Eid-Ul-Fitr this this time their business was not good.
Mohammad Akram, a chips seller, said chips and dried pea was low and people were more interested to purchase them while pistachio, almond and other nuts were expensive.
He said chips have different varieties, in the past one kilogram of chips were available for up to 200 afs while currently the price of chips declined to 120 afs.
Qand Agha, the owner of a bakery in 500-family area of Kabul, said comparing to the past their sale has increased now. “In the past we sole up to seven tonnes of bakery products while this time we have sole more than 10 tonnes of bakery products,” he said.
Abdul Malik Muradi, a shoes seller, in the Mandavi bazaar of Kabul said that he announced sale and every pair of sandal is 300 afs.
He also said the market condition was good and he was satisfied. It is pertinent to mention that recently tailors also complained against the dwindling market condition and told Pajhwok Afghan News that people were not interested in giving orders for new cloths.
Shopkeepers share mixed views on market condition ahead of Eid
