Every year before the month of Ramadan comes around, we see a rise in the prices of essential food items. This year is no different, and greedy traders have the excuse of a war in Europe on their side, even in cases of non-imported goods. But will our authorities simply accept this hike in prices as the norm? Especially when the job market is still recovering from the effects of pandemic-induced lockdowns, do citizens not deserve some empathy? Instead, the price hike for food only seems to be getting worse. This cannot be acceptable and authorities must stamp down on traders who are merely taking advantage of the situation.