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Consumers have expressed complaints over the soaring prices of basic food items in Addis Ababa. Retailers for their part said the surge on the price of basic food items is caused by wholesalers. The Ethiopian Radio and Television Agency (ERTA) on Wednesday spoke to consumers, retailers and government employees pertaining to the rise on the prices of basic commodities.

Consumers approached by ERTA said they are suffering from escalating price of food items. “It is unacceptable; the increase on the price of basic food items is putting pressure on our life and marriage; I believe that the problem is caused by traders; the government has to react accordingly,” a resident told ERTA.

Another resident said, “Some have attributed the commodity price hike to the adjustment made in the exchange between Birr and Dollar; I could not see the relation; the government should do something to solve the problem”.

“I heard that some traders are hoarding food items; this has to be solved quickly,” a consumer commented. Another one said, “The government should check up that the traders are doing their business in a proper manner”.

Yet another consumer complained, “We are witnessing increase in the price of goods on daily basis; I cannot understand why the prices are increasing,”

Retailers for their part are pointing their fingers at wholesalers as having caused the problem. “The prices of goods are on the rise everyday; this is caused by wholesalers who increase the price of commodities on daily basis,” a retailer told ERTA.


ETV Reports