FORTUNE+ VIDEO SPONSORED CONTENTS ADVERTORIALS FORTUNE AUDIO Fortune Careers TRADE AFRICA Election 2026 New TIME REMAINING UNTIL ETHIOPIA’S NATIONAL ELECTION 0Days 0Hours 0Minutes 0Seconds

Fortune Logo
To the traders in Qera, the fall in demand was clearly visible, in stark contrast to the end of the previous fasting seasons.

Unsurprisingly, Qera was not its usual self during this Easter holiday. It was not empty, but neither was it filled to the brim with buyers the way it typically is during holidays.

Like most things, it has been affected by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic rocking most of the world, and the chief indication of this were the individuals in protective gear that sprayed cattle with disinfectants. Before they were led into their enclosures, the cattle were also made to walk on sacks dipped in disinfectant.


Neither were buyers spared the precautionary measures. They were asked to keep their distance from each other, ideally two metres, and were strictly required to wear face masks.

To the traders in Qera, the fall in demand was clearly visible, in stark contrast to the end of the previous fasting seasons. There was more movement than has been the case in the past few weeks, but that activity has not reached the marketplace as many continue to stay home. As devastating as the social distancing measures to the sellers have been, the public's hesitation to eat raw meat, an Ethiopian delicacy popular during Easter, has done even more to make the cattle less desirable.



As a result, in a country that has seen double digit inflation rates for the last two years, meat markets saw a freeze in the prices of sheep and cattle, the latter fetching between 15,000 and 50,000 Br since Gena, the Ethiopian Christmas holiday.

The same phenomenon has been witnessed at markets across the city, which typically see vibrant business activity during holidays. It was striking to many to see the normally bustling Shola market receive only a smattering of customers, those willing enough to venture out to buy holiday essentials. Just like Qera, depressed demand meant that the price of eggs and chicken remained either the same or fell since the last holiday.


“I was in for a surprise,” said one buyer that was able to find chicken on the market for 100 Br less than she did during Gena.


You can read the full story    here    


PUBLISHED ON Apr 17,2020 [ VOL 21 , NO 1042]

[ratemypost]


Related Posts

[ssba-buttons]

Put your comments here

N.B: A submit button will appear once you fill out all the required fields.

Editors' Pick

Exclusive Interviews

State Enterprises from Oracles to Apprentices

Dec 22 , 2024 . By TIZITA SHEWAFERAW

Charged with transforming colossal state-owned enterprises into modern and competitiv...

Agenda

Rising Costs, Inflation Threaten Insurance Industry

Aug 18 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO

Although predictable Yonas Zerihun's job in the ride-hailing service is not immune to...

Agenda

BREWING DISCONTENT

Jul 28 , 2024 . By TIZITA SHEWAFERAW

Unhabitual, perhaps too many, Samuel Gebreyohannes, 38, used to occasionally enjoy a couple of beers at breakfast. However, he recently swit...

Fortune News

Electric Vehicle Push Leaves Investors in the Lurch

Jul 13 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO

Investors who rely on tractors, trucks, and field vehicles for commuting, transporting commodities, and f...

Commentaries

Reconstitute the Institution That Propelled Ethiopia’s Floriculture Globally

The United Kingdom (UK) matters as a market for floriculture exports from Ethiopia pr...

Africa the Continent Britain Miscounts

Beginning in May this year, Chinese customs officers stopped collecting duty on every...

Fineline

Leaders of the National . . .

Leaders of the National Election Board are in a charm offensive mood, of a sort. Last week, they organised a rare tour for members of the me...

When the country’s most. . .

When the country's most senior diplomats and envoys return back to their posts after two-week debriefings, they leave behind a point or two...

Editorial

The Rains May Fail, Policy Dare Not

Jul 31 , 2026

Weldu Yiheysh has not read the Pacific temperature charts. He does not need to. In Shibta District of Enderta Wereda, in...

Cost Recovery by Public Institutions Becomes a Hidden Tax

Jul 25 , 2026

Ideally, citizens who have paid income tax all year should not have to reach for thei...

Millions Looking for Work. Companies Cannot Find Many to Hire. A Paradox?

Jul 18 , 2026

Pressed in Parliament on jobs and household incomes, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD)...

Ethiopia Needs a Peace Premium the IMF Cannot Supply

Jul 11 , 2026

At a market stall, reform arrives without a communique. It comes as a higher transpor...

Gallery

Parliament Approves New Cabinet Members

Oct 6 , 2021

Parliament Approves New Cabinet, Incorporates Opposition Leaders Lawmakers have approved today the nominations of 22 ministers, including three opposition leaders. Two MPs have voted against, while 12 abstained...

2020 in Posterity

Jan 5 , 2021

TIGRAY VOTES DESPITE "NULL & VOID" THREAT

Sep 9 , 2020

IN-PICTURE: LAUREATE'S RECEPTION  

Dec 14 , 2019

PM Abiy Ahmed (PhD) at a Gala Dinner Called for the Awarding of the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize

May 6 , 2019

Faces, Voices of Addis Abeba

Apr 26 , 2019

Sunday With Eden

What Every Parent Really Asks in Children Education

Every parent shares the dream of seeing their children grow into knowledgeable, respo...

A Celebration of Love Where Tradition Met Presence

In an age when weddings are often planned as much for the camera as for the couple, I...

Life Matters

The Fear I Learn to Let Go Of

Every time a sudden loud noise comes from our living room, my heart stops. I drop whatever I am doing and run, certain someone is crying or...

Parents Dreams Meet the Reality of the Classroom

I suppose I should not be surprised by the immense value our society places on education. It is reflected...