Egyptian food prices soar ahead of Ramadan
Shoppers in Egypt's capital Cairo, are complaining about unaffordable food prices as the holy month…Shoppers in Egypt's capital Cairo, are complaining about unaffordable food prices as the holy month of Ramadan approaches. In the days and weeks before the month of fasting begins, Muslims around the world stock up on food supplies. The prices in the market have increased mainly because of the strong performance of the US dollar.
Nevertheless, “Ahlan Ramadan,” a governmental initiative, is set to provide shoppers with affordable supplies.
“We were completely prepared for the month of Ramadan. Firstly, there was a plan that included that there be strategic reserves for all of the food supplies, of meats, chicken and fish and vegetables and legumes, fruits and even the Ramadan supplies, and we started pumping them in all of the supply outlets and the wholesale markets and the mobile markets, in all of the governorates at prices much more discounted than the market,” said Mahmoud Diab, Egypt’s Supply Ministry spokesman.
The market is open until June 3rd.
“Of course, people look for things that are a penny cheaper. With products being expensive in outside markets, people are looking for what’s cheaper,” said Ilham, one of the shoppers in the market.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, it is a month long period when Muslims fast from dawn to dusk abstaining from food, water, and other prohibited acts during the day.