Afghani currency depreciates 10pc against USD

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Afghani currency has depreciated 10 percent against the US dollar while the prices of flour and cooking oil have increased during the outgoing week in capital Kabul, market sources said Saturday.

Haji Hussain, owner of Sadaqat Money Exchange Service in Sara-i-Shazada market of capital Kabul, told Pajhwok Afghan News that one US dollar was accounted for 88 Afghanis and 1,000 Pakistani rupees for 500 Afghanis today.

This comes as one US dollar was accounted for 79.7afs and 1,000 Pakistani rupees 490afs last week.

Ahmad Shah, a moneychanger in Sara-i-Shahzada said that the Afghani currency had depreciated by 90 Afghanis against one US dollar early afternoon today, but it again reached to 88afs on 2:30pm.

He linked the depreciation of the currency to worsening security situation in the country and most people tried to convert Afghani to dollar while many others were trying to leave the country.

In food items, the prices of flour and cooking oil have increased.

Zmarai Safi, head of the Food Traders’ Union, said the price of a bag of 49 kilograms of Kazakhstani flour increased from 1,800afs to 2,00afs , a tin of 16 liters of Malaysian cooking oil from 1,950afs to 2,100afs and a kilogram of African black tea from 330afs to 360afs this week.

However, he said that the price of a bag of 49kg of Indian sugar was 2,380afs and 24kg of Pakistani sugar was 2,400afs, no change in the prices.

Hamed ofizada, a retailer in Dahan-i-Bagh market, said a 49-kg bag of Kazakhstani flour cost 2,050afs, 24kg of Pakistani rice 2,430afs, a 49-kg sack of Indian sugar 2,400afs, a 16-litre tin of Malaysian cooking oil 2,150afs, a kilogram of African black tea cost 350afs and the same quantity of Indonesian green tea 370afs.

Gold prices also remain unchanged.

Mohammad Javid, a jeweler in Lycee Mariam neighborhood, said the price of one gram of Arabian gold remained stable at 3,650 afs as of last week and the same quantity of Russian gold at 2,950afs.

Fuel prices also remain stable.

A worker in Hashemi Fuel Station in Taimani area of Kabul, said that a liter of petrol cost 65afs and the same quantity of diesel 55afs.

Mohammad Sharif, a liquefied gas seller in KalolaPushta locality, said the price of one kilogram of gas remained at 70afs.

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