Herat Markets Show Low Turnout and Doubled Fruit Prices Ahead of Eid

Herat markets in Afghanistan are subdued ahead of Eid, lacking the color and bustle of previous years, with fruit prices having doubled.

Amir Mohammad, an Eid fruit seller in Herat, attributed the low turnout to a lack of work and economic recession. "You can see the markets yourselves, there is no one in the market. We have been sitting here so that perhaps we can earn a piece of bread," he said.

Ghulam Rasul, a Herat resident, described the markets as "almost below zero," noting that prices of fruits have doubled while people are penniless. "The conditions are really very bad," he added.

Another resident, Elias, who visited the market for Eid necessities, said people buy fruit according to their ability. "By God, each person buys fruit according to their ability; some have it and some don't. Alhamdulillah, life goes on anyway."

With four to five days remaining until Eid, sellers and locals cited the closure of borders and the cutting of foreign aid as the main factors behind the economic weakness and reduced purchasing power.