KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Afghanistan’s markets have become increasingly dependent on longer and costlier import routes from Iran and Central Asia after prolonged closures of key eastern and southern borders with Pakistan, the World Food Programme said in its latest monthly report.
In its Countrywide Monthly Market Report for September 2026, published on Monday, the UN agency said the prolonged closures of major crossings with Pakistan since late 2025 have disrupted established trade routes and forced a reorientation of supply networks. Traders now depend more heavily on Iranian and Central Asian corridors, which involve extended delivery times and higher transportation costs.
Pakistan closed major crossings, including Torkham and Chaman, in late 2025 after a series of border clashes with the Taliban and disputes over the activities of militant groups such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Islamabad says operate from Afghan territory. Further fighting along the frontier since then continued to disrupt trade and transport between the two countries.
The WFP said the situation is being aggravated by the Middle East conflict, which, since late February, has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil, gas, and fertilizer exports. The disruption has driven up fuel costs and increased the price of transporting and producing food worldwide.
According to the report, diesel prices rose 4.7% in September to an average of 80.3 Afghanis per litre, 14% higher than a year earlier and 19% above the three-year average. The increase has raised transport and market operating costs across the country. Brent crude averaged about $102 per barrel in September, up nearly 16% from August.
Headline inflation stood at 7.8% year-on-year in August, slightly higher than July’s 7.5%. Food inflation rose to 8.0% from 7.0 percent the previous month, while non-food inflation remained elevated at 7.7%. Higher costs for food, housing, health and transport continue to strain household budgets, WFP said.
Afghanistan’s economy continues a gradual recovery supported by domestic demand and the return of migrants, the WFP said. However, rapid population growth is limiting meaningful gains in per capita income and living standards. Limited job creation, weak investment and the exclusion of women from the workforce further constrain household incomes and overall economic capacity.
According to the report, widespread poverty, livelihood insecurity and restricted access to basic services are further reducing families’ ability to absorb market shocks.
The national average price of the WFP in-kind food basket reached 5,438 Afghanis in September, up 0.5% from the previous month and 4% higher year-on-year. An average unskilled laborer works only 2.0 days per week at 300 Afghanis per day, enabling a full-time casual worker to afford just 47% of the food basket on average. Affordability is weakest in remote areas such as Nuristan (16%) and strongest in Baghlan (62%).
The report warned that the seasonal decline in agricultural activity, rising winter expenses and difficult road access could put further pressure on vulnerable households and disrupt supplies to remote communities in the coming months.
