KABUL— The World Food Program (WFP) has warned that the ongoing closure of the Torkham border crossing, which entered its 14th day on Friday, could lead to rising food prices in Afghanistan the coming weeks, disrupting trade flows and worsening economic hardships.
The border shutdown, which began on February 22 due to a dispute over construction activities, has halted the movement of essential goods, particularly food supplies, and left 5,000 freight trucks stranded, WFP said in a statement.
According to WFP’s latest market analysis, food prices in Afghanistan have shown minor fluctuations over the past week.
Rice and sugar prices have slightly increased, while the cost of other food items has declined, largely due to a 0.8% appreciation of the afghani against the U.S. dollar.
Compared to the same period last year, market trends remain mixed—some food prices have fallen, but cooking oil and salt prices remain significantly higher.
While food prices saw a downward trend in 2023 and 2024, the report noted that current prices for essential commodities remain well above pre-pandemic and pre-Taliban takeover levels in June 2021.
The WFP report also assessed non-food commodity prices, which have shown minimal week-to-week changes, largely due to stable exchange rates.
Diesel prices averaged 61.3 afghanis per liter in early March 2025, reflecting a 0.5% weekly decline but a 1% increase compared to last year.
Winter fuel prices have fluctuated slightly on a weekly basis, though, apart from coal, most fuel types remain more expensive than a year ago, the WFP said.
It added that wages for daily laborers have dropped to seasonal lows, as limited winter job opportunities reduce demand for workers.
Demand for agricultural inputs, such as chemical fertilizers and improved seeds, has also declined in winter, resulting in minimal price changes.
The WFP cautioned that an extended border closure could further disrupt food imports, leading to longer-term inflationary pressures. With millions of Afghans already facing food insecurity, the humanitarian agency stressed the need for stable trade routes to ensure market stability.
