The World Food Program (WFP) said Thursday that food prices across Afghanistan have risen sharply in recent days, largely due to disruptions in trade routes along the country’s southern and western borders with Iran, where ongoing friction between Tehran and Israel has delayed essential imports.
The WFP report, based on week-over-week price tracking, found that most staple food prices surged almost immediately. It cited bottlenecks at regional crossings as a key driver of elevated transportation costs, prompting concern that prices may climb further before stability returns.
A 14.7‑percent increase in the price of diesel—now averaging 67.1 afghanis per liter—has buoyed inflation across the food supply chain. The WFP noted that disruptions to fuel and imported inputs have sparked speculative behavior among wholesalers and traders, further straining local markets.
“Markets remain fragile,” the report said, noting how rising fuel costs and constrained imports are compounding food insecurity risks.
Vegetable prices showed mixed trends: eggplants and potatoes eased slightly compared to the previous week, while onions rose 2.8 percent. Year-over-year comparisons show seasonally lower rates for most produce.
The WFP also found that despite a marginal increase in average seasonal working days, daily wages have stagnated, causing a sharp erosion in purchasing power for casual laborers.
Price changes in non-food items such as fertilizer and improved seeds were modest, but the report warned that dwindling imports from Iran could trigger future inflation.
“Escalating costs and market volatility threaten Afghanistan’s food security and economic resilience and demand urgent global attention,” the WFP concluded.
