Source: Asmarino
On 11/9/2019, the government of Eritrea came up with a new list of prices for food produce and instructed all shop keepers to strictly adhere to its directive. The announcement reads as follows:
Notice
It should be remembered that a list of vegetables, fruits and produce prices was publicly announced on 4 Sep 2019. The government refrained from taking stringent measures in monitoring the new prices are not ignored by shop-keepers. Starting today, 13/09/2019, we instruct all shop-keepers to adhere to the new prices.
Accordingly:
- Every shop-keeper is obliged to put the new price list on the wall.
- Anyone who sells items above the stated price will be penalised.
- It is illegal for shop-keepers to hoard up merchandise and send customers away.
- This measure is enforced in order to help or benefit everyone. The public is encouraged to report those who disregard the announcement.
Victory to the masses!!!
The Office of Rules and Regulations
Central Zone
Translated versions of some of the Announcements that are required, by law, to be displayed in every shop are listed below.
First, the Value of ERN and the Country’s economy
In order to have a better understanding of the value of the Nakfa, Eritrean currency, one needs to have an idea of a few factors:
- Eritrea is one of the world’s poorest countries. It has a command economy under the control of the sole political party, the People’s Front for Democracy and Justice.
- The government claims of adhering to a self-reliance policy which is many economists think is a cop-out.
- Average salary in Eritrea (in towns) is $95.00 /month.
- For example, starting salary of the members of the National Service is ERN 500 /month (which is approximately $33.00).
- The private sector is almost non-existent. The government is the main employer in the country.
- There are severe restrictions on imports and tight limits on the amount of money people can withdraw from their own bank accounts banks.
- Most families are supported by a family member who lives abroad.
- Eritrean farmers grow food crops to feed themselves and their families.
- The governments collects
- Entrepreneurs cannot pursue their own economic dreams.
- Eritrea has been at the bottom 5 in the United Nations Human Development Index for the last ten years.
- Many Eritreans who live abroad end up paying 2% of their salaries as remittances to the government.
- Black market is rife in Eritrea.
- It is very difficult to work out what is going on in Eritrea’s economy because the government does not release figures for its GDP and other key indicators.
Date: 4/9/2019
Public Notice
New Price List for Vegetables and Fruits in Nakfa
| Produce | Purchase Price (from farmers) | Purchase Price (from other suppliers) | Government Price |
| Tomatoes | 7.30 | 8.20 | 11.00 |
| Carrots | 4.60 | 4.90 | 6.30 |
| Onions | 5.80 | 6.20 | 8.00 |
| Chilli powder (cupful) | 38.80 | 40.00 | 50.00 |
| Green Chillies | 5.80 | 6.60 | 10.00 |
| Cabbage | 4.30 | 4.90 | 6.50 |
| Cauliflower | 9.30 | 10.20 | 13.60 |
| Lettuce | 6.50 | 7.60 | 10.60 |
| Leafy Greens | 2.90 | 3.40 | 4.80 |
| Parsley/Celery | 5.20 | 6.05 | 8.40 |
| Zucchini | 4.90 | 5.20 | 6.70 |
| Potato | 5.10 | 5.40 | 6.95 |
| Garlic | 33.95 | 36.30 | 44.30 |
| Apples | 39.20 | 40.80 | 51.00 |
| Peaches | 39.20 | 40.80 | 51.00 |
| Mangoes | 15.40 | 16.20 | 20.00 |
| Bananas | 5.40 | 6.10 | 10.00 |
| Oranges | 11.50 | 12.00 | 15.00 |
| Lemon | 7.70 | 8.00 | 10.00 |
| Guava | 7.70 | 8.00 | 10.00 |
| Papaya | 4.80 | 5.50 | 9.00 |
- Effective 7/9/2019
- Those who do not uphold the directive will be comprehensively penalised.
Victory to the masses!!!
Office of Rules and Regulation
Central Zone
Public Notice
New Price List for Meat and Eggs in Nakfa
| Produce | Purchase Price (from farmers) | Purchase Price (from other suppliers) | Government Price |
| Meat | 90.00 / kg | 110.00 | |
| Tripe | 25.00 / kg | 30.00 | |
| Stomach | 40.00 / kg | 45.00 | |
| Kidneys | 40.00 / kg | 45.00 | |
| Heart | 40.00 / kg | 45.00 | |
| Head | 75.00 EA | 80.00 | |
| Tongue | 40.00 EA | 45.00 | |
| Tail | 40.00 EA | 45.00 | |
| Bones | 20.00 / kg | 25.00 | |
| Lungs | 10.00 / kg | 15.00 | |
| Leftover (Dogs food) | 10.00 / kg | 15.00 | |
| Eggs | 2.10 | 2.20 EA | 2.50 |
- Effective 17/9/2019
Victory to the masses!!!
Office of Rules and Regulation
Central Zone
For more information, here are two more comprehensive lists of prices both in Eritrea and Ethiopia:
- Eritrea: https://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/country/eritrea
- Ethiopia: https://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/country/ethiopia
Warning: the prices listed in www.expatistan.com are different than the list provided by the Eritrean government.