THE GENNA FESTIVE SEASON BUSTLE

Inflation proves to be a full plate not only for Ethiopia but also for developed countries around the globe as the country ushers in the festive Genna season. A myriad of challenges stemming from the current situation of the country have stinted the economy and as the movers and shakers of trade explain, ‘business has become very slow.’ This notion of a slow season is a common complaint shared by both parties’, that is, consumers and buyers.

According to the Central Statistical Agency, the yearon-year General inflation rate on November 2022 was recorded at 35.1 percent, after reaching 31.7 percent in October. A major attribute to the rise was the escalation in price of both Food and Non-food prices.

On a brighter side, situations are said to improve and stabilize in the long haul following the peace agreement signage between the government and the TPLF group in Pretoria.

This call of truce has been welcomed by many Ethiopians in delight and despite the inflation, the peace agreements seem to have brightened the mood of the bubbly festive season.

Ethiopian Christmas is often quite unique from the rest of the world as it is always welcomed by a 43 day fasting prior. Although the fast has been smooth thus far, the holiday market seems to have become a bit slower and much quieter, a shadow of what it once was. Genna is often embraced with joy and celebrated in groups of friends and family by eating an array of scrumptious Ethiopian delicacies such as ‘Doro Wot’ (Ethiopian National Chicken dish), lamb stew and mouthwatering beef stews accompanied with Injera and traditional drinks.

Earlier this week, the Ministry of Finance announced the purchase of 43,037,412 liters of palm cooking oil from the Golden Africa Company in Djibouti to provide cooking oil at a reasonable price for the masses. Efforts have also been made to avoid unreasonable price increases during this holiday so as to prevent shortage of supply on agricultural products, animal products and fruit and vegetable.

In a recent press conference, Abdi Mummed, Deputy Commissioner of the Federal Cooperative Commission said that in Addis Ababa 137 consumer associations have been holding exhibitions and bazaars to mark the occasion of the festival.

The Commissioner further underlined that there is no shortage of products at the moment.

For this festive period, the price of groceries per kilo are: Onion at 15-22 birr, tomato at 15-23 birr, teff at 44-49 birr, wheat flour at 55 birr, and corn flour at 33 birr. The center of tasty delight in most stews, that is, chicken, is said to range from 350-500 birr per kilo across different markets.

Abdi stated that more than 161 thousand quintals of agricultural products have been brought to the market. He said that more than 225 cooperatives across various

butcheries will offer meat at affordable prices in celebration of the festival.

On the other hand, the head of marketing department of Sugar Corporation, Tafese Asefa, said that during the occasion of the festival, 100 thousand to 150 thousand quintals of Sugar will be distributed across the country, with 30 thousand quintals of sugar being distributed in Addis Ababa city alone.

Ketsela Shewarega, deputy manager of Ethiopian Trade Corporation, said that 43 million liters of oil have been purchased through two government development companies, of which 5 million liters are being transported. Therefore according to the price of the ministry, 3 liters of oil will cost 314 birr, while 5 liters will go for 509 Birr, with the 20 liters jerry can costing 2001 birr.

The Addis Ababa City Administration Commercial Bureau has recently announced that it is working to ensure a better supply of consumer products for the Christmas and Timket (baptism) holidays. For both holidays as the trade bureau stated, 60 thousand chickens and six million eggs will be provided through Elfora, Unions and other. The bureau mentioned that 15 thousand cattle will be provided through organized temporary centers including four permanent animal selling centers.

According to the trade bureau, provisions made by Febela oil factory will be 2.2 million liters, Gifty 800 thousand liters, Ethiopian trading Business Corporation 1.2 million liters; bringing the total to 5.4 million liters of oil. Thirty thousand quintals of sugar is also said to be provided for the holiday.

The Economic Cluster Committee under the Addis Ababa city administration has also announced that various agricultural and industrial products will be sold at reasonable prices in selected cities in order to stabilize the holiday market. It is said that 126 Sunday markets and bazaars have been opened in consideration of the festival.

In a gluttonous move, some traders have been cited to hoard products to create false shortage so as to drive the prices during the season which bring forth more demand unlike other market days. The Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration to this end has disclosed that it is working with the relevant stakeholders to prevent a supply gap and to make sure customers are not exposed to unreasonable prices.

In most markets across Addis Ababa, the price tag for eggs currently ranges from birr 11.50 to 13 birr. Similarly, household items such as a kilo of butter range from 750 birr to 850 birr with not much increase projected in comparison to the New Year price.

For Kera, one of the largest cattle markets in the capital last day shopping is as always getting underway with the price said to rocket leading to the D-day as is customary. The supply of cattle comes from far and wide from the likes of Harer, Wellega, Bahirdar, Jimma, Gonder and Wolayita, mostly used for the celebration. Though the country has been battling the pandemic and the recent conflict the price has stagnated.

For cattle acquired from Harer is said to cost 20,000 birr and that of Wellega ranges between 20,000 birr to 30,000 birr whilst Bahirdar costs 25,000-40,000 birr. Of the lot, cattle from Wolayta costs the least in price ranging between 15,000-20,000 birr.

As traders explain, the market may show increase of 1500 to 2000 birr in respective prices at the last or peak final days of the holiday but not much increase will be expected when compared with last year.

During holidays, it is a common scene to see herds of cattle, flocks of sheep and goats that are to be consumed for the holiday along with men carrying live chickens in neighborhoods.

During the days leading up to Genna, a small sized sheep will easily sell for 6,000 birr with a midsized sheep costing 8,000 and above. The delight of having a sheep continues to be out of reach for many during the holiday and those who cannot afford to spend 4,000 birr will simply buy beef from the butchery to make a special meal.

Chicken, is another holiday favorite and is what many resort to, and for this holiday live birds are selling between 550 and 900 birr.

According to the report, in November 2022 vegetables showed a decline in the food components of the index. However, increase in prices of most cereals, pulses, edible oil and fats, meat and milk resulted in increase of food inflation. Similarly, non-food items such as clothing and footwear, housing repair and maintenance goods, fuel, chat, jewelry and electronics goods have shown an increase in price points.

For those who have become victims of the war, the federal government is said to be working round the clock for the resumption of basic services and humanitarian assistance provision.

On December 29, over 106,000 metric tons of humanitarian aid and 1,400 metric tons of medicine had been provided to Tigray since the peace agreement was signed on November 2, 2022.

Likewise, Ethiopian Airlines have begun flights to Mekelle and Shire. Ethio telecom has also resumed its connection to Mekelle and 28 other towns in the region after repairing more than half of its 1,800 kilometers of fiber-optic cable in the conflict areas. Electricity, transportation, and banking services are also resuming, while banks are facing liquidity problems as fresh injections are required into their branches in Tigray.