WITH RAMADAN just around the corner, foodstuffs are already blocking the entrances of supermarkets in Cairo, but demand remains weak, Ahmed Kotb reports. Salah Mohsen and Mahmoud Emam, both shop managers, attribute weak demand to the high temperatures and the fact that people are not yet back from their summer vacations. "I am not worried about the sales now; sooner or later people will start buying... it is Ramadan, and food is the number one concern," Emam said. Against all odds, the holy month of fasting is characterised by increased demand on foodstuffs. Along with ordinary commodities and basic foods, yameesh -- dried fruits and nuts popular during the holy month -- are offered in large quantities to meet the expected higher demand in Ramadan. But prices are an issue this year. According to Mohsen, the prices of rice, pasta and sugar have risen by approximately 30 per cent during July. But in comparison yameesh prices fell by 25 per cent. Emam expects the prices of basic foods like rice and sugar not to increase beyond their current levels. He too said yameesh prices are lower. Emam said that foodstuffs within Ramadan bags -- bags filled with basic foods and yameesh and distributed to the poor -- are offered at 25 per cent less. Prices of Ramadan bags range from LE25 to LE125 at Emam's supermarket.
