Following protests that have erupted across the major towns in Ethiopia last weekend, which featured deadly clashes with security forces causing human fatalities, the food market around big cities such as Addis Ababa has experienced mild disruptions and price escalations, it was learnt.
According to claims made by some market actors, some of the major marketplaces in the capital, where food items are traded, faced price hikes due to blockades and obstruction of movements of goods from producing areas due to the conflict. Sources told The Reporter that price of vegetables, fruits and grains have seen considerable increases in price following the ongoing protests in the country.
Nearby towns that supply the majority of fresh food items that are sold in market in Addis Ababa have been unable to reach their traditional markets and vehicles have been seen stranded fearing potential attacks by protestors. Hence, price of onion, tomato and teff have been recorded to have seen unexpected hikes, sources claimed.
A kilo of tomato at the major fruits and vegetables market such as AtikiltTera increased from birr 10 to 18 and recently to 20, accordingly. Under normal circumstances, on average, 30 vehicles of tomato, is brought into markets located in the capital. However, that reduced to four following the protests, sources claimed further. Even though there have been gradual progresses, still the markets remain under supplied and over-priced, sources said.
Etisa Deme, market research directorate director at the Trade Practices and Consumers Protection Authority, told The Reporter that the authority is still dissecting market information and impact data in relation to the recent outcries.
