As Eid al-Fitr approaches, temporary markets for selling dried fruit have been set up in the city of Herat.

However, some citizens say that this year the price of dried fruit has significantly increased compared to last year, forcing them to buy less.

"Last year it was cheap, but this year it has become very expensive. For example, something that cost 600 afghani per kilo last year has now reached 800,” stated Abdul Rahman, a resident of Herat.

"The price of dried fruits has gone up a lot. Last year this same raisin was 120 afghani per kilo, now it's 180,” Abdul Nasir, another Herat resident underlined.

Meanwhile, Hamidullah, who came to the market to shop, said the excitement in the market is not like previous years.

"This year the market is dull, it seems like people have less money. Last year was better,” Hamidullah remarked.

Even though only a few days remain until Eid, the presence of people in these markets is limited. Many vendors say the markets are not as lively as in previous years and customer numbers have declined.

"Unemployment is high. People don't shop like before” Haroon, one of the vendors pointed out.

However, some other sellers remain hopeful that the market will improve in the coming days.

"Today is slow, but tomorrow it will be busy. People will buy,” said Firoz Ahmad, another vendor.

Most of the dried fruits sold in these markets are imported from neighboring countries. Every year, as Eid approaches, the prices of these goods rise.

The increase in dried fruit prices on one hand, and the rise in unemployment and poverty on the other, has caused the purchasing power of many families to decline.