Food items down, gas up in Kabul

KABUL): Prices of daily-use commodities slightly came down, while the rate of liquefied went up in Kabul during the outgoing, retailers said on Thursday.

A 50-kilogram bag of Pakistani rice cost 2,240 afghanis ($48), falling by 40 afs, the Food Traders’ Union head, Fazal Rahman, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Similarly, the price of a 50-kg bag of Pakistani flour came down from 1,020 afs to 1,010 afs, with a five-kg cane of ghee selling for 335 afs — the same rate as last week.

One rate kg of African black tea stayed unchanged at 190 afs and the same amount of green tea at 160 afs, he said. The price for a 50-kg sack of Brazilian sugar cost 2,050 afs.

Moneychanger Ahmad Shah Salehi said the buying rate of a US dollar was 45.60 afs and 1,000 Pakistani rupees 542 afs. Last week’s exchange value of the greenback stood at 45.10 afs and 1,000 Pakistani rupees at 539 afs.

Meanwhile, the price of liquefied gas soared 60 afs per kilo, showing an increase of 15 afs, compared to last week’s rate of 45 afs, said Ahmad Zarif, a gas seller in the Pul-i-Pacha area of Kabul.

Fuel prices also remained stable, with one litre of diesel accounting for 57 afs and petrol for 55 afs, said Zakir Ahmad, a filling station owner in the upscale Shahr-i-Naw neighbourhood.

Abdul Baseer, a jeweller in the same locality, said one gram of Arabian gold cost 1,750 afs and the same amount of Iranian gold 1,550 fas.

frm/mud