Gold up, food stable in Kabul market

KABUL): Gold rates increased while food and other daily-use items’ prices remained unchanged during the outgoing week in Kabul, retailers said on Thursday.

One gram of Arabian gold rose from 2,300 afghanis ($46.48) to 2,400afs while the same amount of Iranian variety jumped from 1,900afs to 2,000afs.

Abdul Basir, a jeweller in the upscale Lycee-i-Mariam locality, told Pajhwok Afghan News the price increase was linked to in international market trends.

Hajji Fazal Rahman, Food Trade Union head, said food rates stayed stable. A 50-kilogram bag of Brazilian sugar cost 1,850afs and the same amount of Pakistani wheat flour 980afs.

Similarly, a 50-kg bag of Pakistani rice accounted for 2,500afs, with five-kg can of Spin Ghar ghee selling for 410afs, a kilo of black tea for 190afs and green tea for 160afs — the same rates as last week.

But a shopkeeper in the Taimani area, Dilawar, said he sold a 50-kg flour bag for 1,100afs, a similar amount of rice for 2,800afs and as much Brazilian sugar for 2,000afs.

A pump station worker, Mohammad Siddique, said one litre of diesel accounted for 62afs and the same amount of petrol for 60afs, both staying unchanged.

A gas dealer in the 3rd Macro Ryan locality, Hamidullah, said a kilogram of gas cost 60afs, the same price as last week, but each of the 30 government-run shops charged 55afs for one kilogram.

Moneychanger Mohammad Abdul Wahab said the buying rate of a US dollar was 49.35afs, while 1,000 Pakistani rupees accounted for 545afs. Last week’s exchange value of the greenback stood at 49.40afs and 1,000 Pakistani rupees at 547afs.

myn/mud