Tough economic conditions and insecurity on the streets are casting a shadow on the traditional Ramadan market for yameesh, Mai Samih reports The cost of yameesh (dried fruits) has changed for families going shopping in Ramadan this year, especially after the January Revolution. The price of dates has increased by 15 per cent. The price of dried apricots increased from LE18-20 in 2009 to LE28-32 in 2010. Price increases have also been significantly greater than income growths, half of which goes to food consumption. In 2009, the consumption of yameesh decreased because of the deteriorating financial conditions of consumers which are much the same this year. Another reason is that when Ramadan comes in the summer, people tend to eat fresh instead of dried fruits. The high prices have forced consumers, such as Amina, 50, to buy in small amounts. She buys a quarter of a kilogramme of coconuts, hazelnuts, and raisins and grinds them with sugar and puts them in a jar to serve as dessert stuffing all month. "It is the perfect way to give my children a taste of everything," she says. Abu Zekri Supermarket chain owner, Abdu El Amir Abu Zekri, explains: "After the revolution, it became more difficult to import products from countries such as Syria as the roads are not safe and we end up with only half the amount of goods." The imports of yameesh from neighbouring countries, mainly Syria, have decreased by 80 per cent because of the lack of security after the revolutions in both countries. Dried figs imported from Jordan are rare for the same reason. Insecurity on the roads also explains why prices are going up. Ahmed Etabi, also a supermarket chain owner, said that " Qamareddin and dates are the products most in demand of yameesh. Nuts are not wanted very much as they are very expensive," he said, adding that only products sold at moderate prices are in demand. For example, Etabi says, dates range from LE4 to LE20. "All dates are home-grown with the exception of imported Saudi dates, but they are very expensive and rare in the market," he explains. Abu Zekri agrees. "Egyptian products are of high quality but it is the market and the consumer who demand the variety in the market," he says. Prices also depend on the quality and the source. According to Etabi, apricot, of which there is only one Syrian variety, ranges from LE30 to 35 per kilogramme. According to Abu Zekri, Qamareddin, or apricot sheets, prices start from LE7 to LE14.
