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:

  1. 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.
  2. The government claims of adhering to a self-reliance policy which is many economists think is a cop-out.
  3. Average salary in Eritrea (in towns) is $95.00 /month.
  4. For example, starting salary of the members of the National Service is ERN 500 /month (which  is approximately $33.00).
  5. The private sector is almost non-existent. The government is the main employer in the country.
  6. There are severe restrictions on imports and tight limits on the amount of money people can withdraw from their own bank accounts banks.
  7. Most families are supported by a family member who lives abroad.
  8. Eritrean farmers grow food crops to feed themselves and their families.
  9. The governments collects
  10. Entrepreneurs cannot pursue their own economic dreams.
  11. Eritrea has been at the bottom 5 in the United Nations Human Development Index for the last ten years.
  12. Many Eritreans who live abroad end up paying 2% of their salaries as remittances to the government.
  13. Black market is rife in Eritrea.
  14. 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:

  1. Eritrea: https://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/country/eritrea
  2. 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.