Kabul Market Prices Show Mixed Fluctuations Amid Trade Route Shifts

Market prices in Kabul experienced mixed fluctuations over the past week, driven by shifting import routes and changing commodity costs. Petrol prices declined from 66 to 63 Afghanis per liter, while diesel saw a slight increase from 62 to 63 Afghanis per liter, according to local market officials.

Wholesale prices for staple foods also shifted. A 24-kilogram bag of Indian rice dropped from 2,650 to 2,600 Afghanis. Conversely, a 49-kilogram sack of Turkish sugar rose sharply from 3,300 to 3,700 Afghanis. Traders attributed the sugar price surge to the closure of trade routes by Pakistan, which has forced Afghan importers to rely on longer, more expensive transit routes through Turkey. Meanwhile, prices for Kazakh flour, Malaysian cooking oil, and African and Indonesian teas remained stable compared to the previous week.

In the precious metals sector, Arabian gold fell from 7,770 to 7,625 Afghanis per gram. Market data also indicated a decrease in the price of Russian gold from 6,810 to 6,070 Afghanis per gram, despite earlier reports suggesting an increase.

Currency exchange rates saw minor adjustments. The United States dollar dropped to 64.20 Afghanis from 64.70 Afghanis. The Pakistani rupee held steady, with 1,000 rupees exchanging for 220 Afghanis. Market representatives, including Zmarai Safi, Mohammad Fawad, and Haji Mohammad Hussain, confirmed the weekly price adjustments across Kabul’s commercial districts, noting that broader economic conditions continue to influence local trade dynamics.