KABUL (SW) – Prices of the basic commodities continue to move upward despite drop in tariff and duties.
According to Khan Jan Alakozay, a member of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries, although customs duties on goods carrying vehicles had dropped by 50 percent compared to the past, and the tariff per vehicle dropped to AFN 20,000, the prices of food items in the market remained high.
He added that due to the lack of reduction in oil tariffs, the country’s domestic products such as eggs and meat and other items have not seen drop in prices.
Meanwhile, Farid Safi, head of the Fodder Association in Kabul, blamed rising food prices on the drop of value of afghanis against the US dollar and a lack of cash in banks. He said if the money is not transacted on time, many shipping and trade contracts would continue to be scrapped.
He added that a few days ago, the price of a 16-liter barrel of oil was around 2,600 afghanis, and a pack of 50 kg flour was sold for 2,200 afghanis in the Kabul market, but prices fell slightly as the value of afghani appreciated against the dollar.
This comes amid shortage of cash in banks and limits on withdrawal per customer.
ENDS
