Algeria: Prolonged closure of businesses after Aid El-Fitr feast bring chaos

The prolonged closure of businesses in the capital Algiers and other major cities of the country following the Aid El Fitr feast marking the end of the holy month of Ramadhan this year has brought about a chaotic situation with a dearth of milk and bread among other staple commodities.

• The protracted closure of most businesses in the capital Algiers and other major cities of the country following the Aid El Fitr feast marking the end of the holy month of Ramadhan this year has brought about a chaotic situation with a dearth of milk and bread among other staple commodities.

• This unbearable situation is mostly gripping the capital Algiers where about 750 bakeries have remained closed for past 10 days in the wake of the Aid El Fitr festival prompting a dire scarcity of bread to the great dismay of all the helpless residents.

• This accounts for around 50% of the total number of bakeries operating throughout the capital Algiers.

• Milk is also very scarce in every district of the city owing to the scaling down of the production of this vital product by the public and private dairy companies over the last few days.

• Another big headache for the customers is the non-availability for the past week of mineral water which cannot be found in the various groceries or supermarkets adding to the discontent of the citizens who are already battered down by an unprecedented heat-wave during this summer.

• As a result, speculation on various vital products including fruits and vegetables by venal and unscrupulous traders is currently holding sway in total defiance of the laws and regulations.
• The spokesman of the general union of craftsmen and traders Mr Hadj Tahar Boulenouar however told Echorouk that the situation would return to normal as early as next week when all Algiers-based workers now on vacation with their families in various parts of the country rejoin their places of work.