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Correspondent of Daryo in Afghanistan, visited one of the bustling markets in Mazari Sharif, the capital of Balkh province in northern Afghanistan on May 2 to gather insights into the prevailing prices of agricultural products, reflecting the economic dynamics in the region.
Some vendors expressed their disillusionment with trading, citing challenges, while others acknowledged their temporary engagement due to limited employment opportunities.
Mohibulla, an experienced banana vendor, lamented the lackluster fruit trade despite the comparatively lower prices than neighboring countries. He attributed the sluggish business to prevailing poverty among the population, constraining their purchasing power. For Mohibulla, the venture barely sustains household expenses rather than yielding substantial profits.
In contrast, Muhammad Yaqub, hailing from the Faryab region, specializes in selling onions and potatoes in Mazari Sharif. He highlighted the plummeting onion prices this year, primarily attributed to decreased exports, especially to Pakistan. Yaqub elucidated that onions were sometimes imported from Uzbekistan to meet market demands, underscoring the intricate regional trade dynamics.
Here’s a breakdown of prices as of May 2, for various products in Mazari Sharif:
Fruits and Fruit Products:
- Oranges: $1/kg
- Tangerines: $1.66/kg
- Kiwi: $2.22/kg
- Pineapple: $5.55/kg
- Lemon: $1.39/kg
- Bananas: $2/kg
- Apples: $1.39/kg
- Strawberries: $1.95/kg
- Watermelon: $0.50/kg
- Peaches: $1.94/kg
- Cherries (from Uzbekistan): $5/kg
Vegetables and Greens:
- Bell Pepper: $1/kg
- Tomatoes: $0.55/kg
- Eggplant: $0.69/kg
- Spinach: $0.40/kg
- Cucumbers: $0.30/kg
- Pumpkin: $0.40/kg
- Carrots: $0.40/kg
- Cabbage: $0.70/kg
- Potatoes: $0.30/kg
- Afghan Onion: $0.14/kg
- Uzbekistan Onion: $0.069/kg
Leguminous Plants:
- Peas (from Uzbekistan): $1.53/kg
- Mosh: $1/kg
- White Beans: $1.8/kg
- Red Beans: $1.66/kg
- Indian Rice: $1.40/kg
- Afghan Rice: $1/kg
- Red Raisins: $2/kg
Meat:
- Beef: $5.27/kg
- Mutton: $5.55/kg
- Chicken: $2.77/kg
Other Products:
- Afghan Noodles: $0.76/kg
- Kazakh Pasta: $0.90/kg
- Iranian Tomatoes: $1.40/kg
- Afghan Tomatoes: $1.11/kg
- Flour: $0.35/kg
- Sugar: $0.90/kg
These prices are subject to fluctuations in the market. Currently, 1 U.S. dollar equals 72.5 Afghanis.
