DUSHANBE, September 5, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- It seems that Dushanbe authorities have begun tackling the problem of prices on the city markets.

Asia-Plus’ correspondent yesterday visited a number of markets in Dushanbe; prices of same basic food products have really come down. 

On the markets in Dushanbe’s Zarafshon area, the price for a 50-kilogram sack of grade 1 wheat flour has been reduced from 122-125 somonis on September 3 to 117 somonis, the price for a 5-liter can of cooking (cotton) oil has been reduced from 35 to 28 somonis.  Prices of some fruits and vegetables have also been reduced appreciably. 

Some customers attribute this reduction of prices to president’s appeal for reducing prices of basic food precuts during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and raids made by the Dushanbe trade and markets directorate, which recommends entrepreneurs to reduce prices of the basic food precuts.           

Meanwhile, the market Zarnisor in Dushanbe’s microrayon 102 has not been working since yesterday.  According to some unofficial sources, the market was suspended from functioning following ruling by the Dushanbe trade and markets department because of too high prices of farm produce. 

Thus, the price one kilogram of beef on the Zarnisor market was up to 20-22 somonis, the price of one kilogram of grapes was 10 somonis, and melons and watermelons cost 20 to 30 somonis per 1 piece.