Onion price jump brings Kabul residents to tears

KABUL (Pajhwok): Kabul residents have voiced their grave concern at what they call a three-fold hike in the price of onion in a month’s time.

Capital-based greengrocers confirmed on Wednesday per seven kilograms of onion accounted for 300 afghanis, compared with last month’s rate of 100 afghanis.

Mahazuddin Ibrahimi, a seller of vegetables and fruits market in Tahyaee Maskan area, told Pajhwok Afghan News he sold per seven kilograms of onion for 100 afghanis last month. The rate currently stood at 350afs, he said, linking the dramatic price surge to exports to neighbouring Pakistan.

He urged the government to onion exports by traders at a reasonable level to cushion the impact of the price increase on consumers.

Complaints

Ahmad Shah, a resident of Macro Ryan neighbourhood, said: “Today I purchased seven kilograms of onion for 300afs despite a bumper onion harvest this summer.

“I don’t have any idea why the vegetable price has surged so dramatically,” he wondered, asking the authorities to pay serious attention to the problem.

Nabila, hailing from Kabul’s 500-Family locality, also complained about the sharp rise increase in the price of onion. He noted the rate rose with each passing day and people were finding it increasingly hard unable to purchase the vegetable.

Abdul Salam Jawad Akhundzada, spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, argued: “When a commodity is exported based on huge demand, its price increases inside the country.”

He believed the hike was not that sharp: “God willing, the price will come down soon,” the official concluded.

sa/mud

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