Residents of Herat province in the west say the prices of basic food staples, particularly flour and sugar, have risen sharply in recent days, increasing pressure on households already facing economic hardship.
Several residents said the price of a 40-kilogram sack of flour has increased from about 1,100 Afghanis ($17.50) to around 1,300 Afghanis ($20.60). A 50-kilogram sack of Kazakh flour has risen from about 1,300 Afghanis ($20.60) to roughly 1,500 Afghanis ($23.80).
Fraidoon, a resident of Herat, said the recent increases were worrying for poorer families.
“Previously a 40-kilogram sack of flour cost 1,100 Afghanis, but now it has reached 1,300 Afghanis,” he said. “If the conflict continues, the price could rise to 2,000 or even 2,500 Afghanis ($31.70 to $39.70). Poor people cannot afford flour at those prices.”
Some residents also accused traders of taking advantage of the situation by hoarding food supplies and raising prices.
“Wars always affect society,” said Farhad, another resident of Herat. “Afghanistan imports much of what it needs from abroad, and these conflicts create major challenges for people, especially those already struggling financially.”
A Taliban spokesman said in a statement on Friday that trade through the Herat–Khaf railway, which connects Afghanistan to Iran, was continuing “as normal.” But residents said the main trade route through the Islam Qala border crossing — a key gateway for imports from Iran — has been closed for the past four days.
The Taliban spokesman also urged traders not to increase prices.
Residents in Kabul reported similar price increases in the capital. According to several residents, the price of a 3.5-seer sack of rice has risen from about 2,500 Afghanis ($39.70) to 5,000 Afghanis ($79.40), while the price of one seer of potatoes has climbed from 200 Afghanis ($3.17) to about 350 Afghanis ($5.56).
Residents warned that continued price increases could further strain household finances.
The price hikes come as Afghanistan’s border crossings with Pakistan have remained closed for more than four months. After Pakistan, Iran is one of the main routes for imports of goods into Afghanistan, making disruptions to trade particularly significant for western provinces.
