KABUL (Pajhwok): The prices of petrol, liquefied gas, Malaysian cooking oil and sugar declined, while gold surged in outgoing week in Kabul, market sources said on Saturday.
Zmarai Safi, head of the Food Traders’ Association, told Pajhwok Afghan News that the price of a 16-litre bottle of Malaysian cooking oil went down from 2,350 afghanis to 2300afs, while of a 49-kg bag of Indian sugar decreased from 2,900afs to 2,600afs.
He linked the decline to increased import into Kabul markets.
However, he said the prices of other essential commodities remained unchanged as a 49-kilogram sack of Kazakh flour cost 1,600afs, 24kg of Indian rice at 2,500afs, one kilogram of African black tea at 380afs and the same quantity of Indonesian green tea at 350afs.
He noted that in some cases retail prices differ slightly from wholesale prices, while in others the difference is more significant.
Hamid Sufizada, a retailer at Dahna-i-Bagh market, put the retail price of a 49-kg bag of Kazakh flour at 1,650afs, a 24-kg bag of Indian rice at 2,550afs and a 49-kg sack of Indian sugar at 2,650afs.
A 16-litre bottle of cooking oil accounted for 2,350afs, one kilogram of black tea for 430afs and the same quantity of green tea for 400afs, he added.
Fuel prices
Hikmatullah, worker at a petrol station in Wazirabad area, told Pajhwok the price of one litre of petrol went down from 87afs to 85afs and one litre diesel from 85afs to 83afs.
Mohammad Jan Amin, a shopkeeper in the Dahan Bagh area of Kabul, said the price of one kilogram of liquefied gas sold for decreased from 64afs to 60afs.
According to sellers, the prices of fuel and gas in Kabul markets have fallen due to lower international prices and increased imports.
Gold prices
Mohammad Fawad, a jeweller in Timor Shahi area, said the price of one gram of Arabian gold increased from 6,670afs to 7,010afs and the same amount of the Russian variety declined from 5,330afs to 5,600afs.
Gold dealers say fluctuations in local gold prices are linked to changes in international markets.
Currency rates
Haji Mohammad Hussain, owner of the Sadaqat Money Exchange Service, said one US dollar traded for 65.15afs, while 1,000 Pakistani rupees exchanged for 230afs.
During the previous week, one US dollar consumed 65afs and 1,000 Pakistani rupees 230afs.
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