The recent surge in food prices in Kabul’s markets has raised concerns among residents of the capital. Many citizens say that compared to last week, prices for basic goods have increased again.

Fazl Mohammad, a Kabul resident, said: "If you had come a week ago, a sack of flour was 1,350 afghani. Now it has reached 1,450 to 1,500 afghani. People’s economic situation is very weak."

Jamil, another Kabul resident, added: "Those who import in bulk should be controlled, and retail sellers as well, so that the price hikes have less impact, because people are out of work and their economic situation is poor."

Some shopkeepers in Kabul reported that the prices of food items have risen by 150 to 300 afghani and attributed the increase to the ongoing conflict in a neighboring country.

Current vs. Last Week’s Prices of Basic Goods:

 Item            | Current Price | Last Week's Price |
|--------------- | ------------- | ----------------- |
| 1 sack of flour | 1,550 AFN     | 1,350 AFN         |
| 1 sack of rice  | 2,500 AFN     | 2,200 AFN         |
| 10L cooking oil | 1,100 AFN     | 950 AFN           |

Shopkeeper Abdul Baqi said: "The reason for this situation is the current war. Since the conflict began this past week, trade routes have been blocked, goods are not arriving, and as a result, prices have risen."

However, TOLOnews’ findings show that in the previous year, imports of essential goods like oil, flour, and rice came mostly from Central Asian countries, Pakistan, and Malaysia, not from Iran.

Value of Essential Goods Imported in 1403 (Solar Year):

Cooking Oil:

* Malaysia: \$2.401 billion
* Pakistan: \$30.834 million
* Uzbekistan: \$28.260 million
* Russia: \$26.874 million
* Kazakhstan: \$11 million
* Iran: \$8.202 million

Flour:

* Uzbekistan: \$334.597 million
* Kazakhstan: \$334.151 million
* Russia: \$54.812 million
* Pakistan: \$17.653 million
* Tajikistan: \$1.597 million
* Iran: \$40,463

Rice:

* Pakistan: \$323.596 million
* Kazakhstan: \$40,579
* Iran: \$844

As shown, Iran ranks sixth among the seven countries that export cooking oil to Afghanistan, while Malaysia, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan are the top suppliers.

In terms of flour imports, Iran again ranks sixth, with Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Russia leading the list. Despite a 300-afghani increase in rice prices in Kabul, Iran is only the third-largest rice exporter, after Pakistan and Kazakhstan.

Khanjan Alokozai, a member of the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce and Investment, said: "The pricing commission must take into account both domestic and global conditions and set fair prices. There is no doubt that some opportunistic individuals are taking advantage of the situation. We didn’t import enough oil, rice, or wheat from Iran for prices to rise this much."

Although Kabul Municipality frequently promises strict oversight to control prices in the capital, instability in the national markets and rising prices remain serious challenges, especially for residents of Kabul.