DAMASCUS, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- As the Muslim holy month of Ramadan approaches, Damascus' popular markets are crowded with shoppers and stocked with food, spices and household goods. But for many residents, preparations for the month have become a painful reminder of how far their purchasing power has eroded.
Merchandise is widely available in markets such as Sarouja, al-Hamidiyah and al-Bazouriyeh, and foot traffic has surged in recent days. Yet many shoppers say they now spend more time asking about prices than buying, calculating every purchase as costs continue to climb.
In al-Bazouriyeh market, one of Damascus' oldest commercial streets, the narrow stone alleyways are thick with the scent of spices, dried fruits and roasted nuts as shoppers squeeze past one another under hanging lanterns. Vendors stack dates, lentils and rice in tall mounds, calling out Ramadan discounts while customers pause to tally prices in their heads. The stalls are full, but hands linger more than they buy, fingers tracing labels and sacks before moving on.
As evening approaches, the market grows more crowded, yet the mood remains cautious. Many shoppers compare prices from one stall to another, some photographing handwritten signs to decide later. Children trail behind parents, clutching shopping lists shortened by necessity, while shopkeepers acknowledge that sales are slower despite the crowds.
"When Ramadan comes, it's as if all profits must be made in this one month," said Abdul Hakim al-Khalaf, a Damascus resident. "In the past, merchants were more compassionate. Now salaries are weak, and the poor shouldn't even come to the market -- they desire things they cannot afford," he told Xinhua.
For many Syrians, the struggle predates Ramadan, but the holy month has intensified financial pressure as demand rises while incomes remain stagnant.
"It is impossible to meet all my needs," said Hussam al-Sharif, another resident. "Everything is expensive now. Ramadan today is very different from before. For the poor, it is impossible to live. People depend on aid or help from relatives abroad. There is little work, and it is not enough."
Some families say they are cutting back sharply, relying on neighbors or delaying purchases until the last possible moment.
"We hope prices will go down during Ramadan so we can buy what we need," said Najah, a mother living in Damascus. "I cannot buy all my necessities, and sometimes I ask my neighbors for help if they are able."
Food prices, particularly for meat and poultry, have risen steeply, placing additional strain on households without fixed incomes.
"Prices have risen by 100 percent," said Fadel Shaheen Abu Ya'rab, who has no regular salary. "Everything is expensive, especially with Ramadan approaching. If my children didn't send money from abroad, the situation would be catastrophic."
Shoppers also point to wide price disparities between vendors, forcing consumers to compare stalls carefully.
"Some shops are very expensive, others are reasonable," said Abu Mohammad Abdullah. "You can find the same item at different prices. Overall, the situation is acceptable, but still difficult."
The pressure on household budgets reflects a broader economic crisis gripping Syria after more than a decade of war and isolation. Despite the formation of an interim government in December 2024, living conditions for most Syrians remain dire.
According to the World Bank and the United Nations Development Program, more than 90 percent of Syrians live below the poverty line, with incomes falling far short of basic living costs. The UN World Food Program has warned that food insecurity remains widespread, with millions relying on aid to meet daily needs.
UN agencies and the International Monetary Fund say that while some commercial activity has returned to major cities, inflation, high fuel prices and fragile supply chains continue to erode purchasing power. Many families survive on remittances from relatives abroad or humanitarian assistance, as salaries in both the public and private sectors lag far behind rising prices.
As Ramadan nears, Damascus' markets reflect a stark contrast: shelves filled with goods and streets packed with people, alongside families struggling to prepare for a month traditionally marked by generosity, patience, and communal giving.
