Unemployment, high food prices worry Balkh residents

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): Residents of northern Balkh province say unemployment and rising food prices ahead of winter have annoyed people.

They say despite government's efforts, there has been no significant reduction in food prices in Mazar-e-Sharif, the provincial capital.

However, Balkh Chamber of Commerce says it is hopeful that food prices will fall with new contracts for imports with foreign countries.

Despite trade at the Hairatan port in Balkh province has returned to normal, people complain that there has been no significant change in food prices in the markets.

They say the winter season and unemployment as well as high food prices have caused serious problems for people.

Sakhidad, a resident of Mazar-i-Sharif, told Pajhwok Afghan News that he runs a handcart in the city every day

He said that he used to earn around 300 afghanis a day but now he could hardly earn half of that amount.

Besides rising unemployment, food prices have also skyrocketed, he added, saying “, "With the arrival of winter, daily activities have reduced and it is almost impossible to buy flour, oil and rice in the market, so it is clear that if the situation continues like this, some people will die of starvation.”

He called on the government to create jobs for people and control prices in the markets.

Abdul Karim, a shopkeeper at Kefayat Market in Mazar-i-Sharif, said that the prices of flour and oil dropped slightly this week.

Considering the poor economic situation of people, the prices are still very high, he said.

"Compared to last week, the price of a 50-kg bag of flour has dropped by 200 afghanis, the price of a 10-liter tin of oil dropped by 100 afghanis to 105 afghanis, the prices of some other items also dropped, but very little," he said.

People usually lose their jobs in winter and many people will not be able to afford essential food items at current prices, he added.

Rahmatullah, manager of a grocery store in Mazar-i-Sharif city, told Pajhwok that the government should control prices in the markets.

He said that in addition to some problems in imports, some traders were also involved in hoarding which was another reason of increased rates.

The current market situation is no longer acceptable, he said.

"Most of the time, traders set their own prices in market. It should be controlled, but now it is said that there has been a reduction in import taxes, so the prices of goods should also be reduced,” he said.

Meanwhile, officials of Balkh Chamber of Commerce are hopeful that new import contracts would help cut prices.

Hassan Ansari, media officer for Balkh Chamber of Commerce, said that food prices in Mazar-i-Sharif were stable for the past two weeks.

However, he said that the prices of some of food items such as flour have fallen.

Most imports are still based on previous contracts and there is hope that new contracts would reduce prices, he added.

Mds/ma