RASC News Agency: Some residents of Herat province in western Afghanistan have confirmed that shopkeepers in the province have already increased food prices even before the blessed month of Ramadan begins. Khalil Ahmadi, a resident of Herat province, informed the RASC News Agency on Saturday, Feb 24, that food prices typically surge during various occasions due to exploitative practices within the market, leading to public complaints. He asserts that most shopkeepers in Herat province, especially during the blessed month of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and other occasions, raise food prices as they aim to generate more income.
Ahmadi further adds that although the Taliban in Herat province have issued a price list regarding food prices for shopkeepers, this list is merely symbolic. He emphasizes that Taliban authorities in Herat province should promptly establish realistic food prices to prevent further hardship for the people. Meanwhile, Hafiz Ehsani, another resident of Herat province, informed the RASC News Agency that food and fuel prices are escalating daily, with no intervention from the Taliban to reduce them. He adds that the Taliban require shopkeepers who violate their price list not only to have their shops sealed but also to be reported to judicial authorities. He states that if Taliban officials take action against several violators, the number of profiteers in Herat province’s markets will decrease.
Additionally, Ghulam Farooq, a shopkeeper in Herat province, informed the RASC News Agency that food items are not abundant enough to warrant price increases by shopkeepers. He adds that only rice, oil, and tomato paste have seen price hikes, while the rest of the commodities remain at their previous rates. Farooq suggests that while some shopkeepers may inflate food prices, most adhere to the municipal rate list established by the Taliban in Herat province.
On the other hand, Faisal Mohibi, a knowledgeable individual in western Afghanistan, informed RASC that food and fuel prices usually increase at the 90th minute by traders and shopkeepers in the city. He adds that traders initially raise prices above those of shopkeepers, and shopkeepers, in turn, pass on these pressures to the people to enable greater profit. Mohibi also states that during the blessed month of Ramadan, prices should not only remain stable but should also decrease due to the virtue of this auspicious month. However, Taliban authorities in Herat province have remained silent on this matter.
It is worth mentioning that Herat province in western Afghanistan is among the provinces where residents annually express concerns about the rising prices of food items.
