Mass unrest over the past week in Egypt has triggered shortages of food supplies in shops in Cairo and other cities.
While vegetables and fruit are easy to find, there is lack of essential foodstuffs such as rice, bread and canned products. Although some shops have taken advantage, large supermarkets have frozen their prices.
Cigarettes are also in short supply.
"There are practically no cigarettes left, and people buy what is on sale, not their favorite brands," a local shop assistant said.
Meanwhile, the owners of jewelry and clothes shops have barricaded their shop windows to prevent falling victim to the looting which has engulfed the North African state.
At the same time, gun dealers have seen an increase in sales with people buying weapons to protect themselves.
"The products are bought up as soon as they are delivered," a shop owner said.
Egypt has been hit by violent protests against the thirty-year rule of President Hosni Mubarak since January 25. The riots that swept through Cairo, Alexandria, Suez and other Egyptian cities have already claimed the lives of about 150 people, which another 4,000 reported injured.
CAIRO, February 1 (RIA Novosti)
