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Afghanistan

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Afghanistan
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Food Security Outlook
February - September 2024
March to May spring rains are expected to support national wheat production
  • At the peak of the lean season, Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes are present in northern, northeastern, and western parts of the county following the early depletion of food stocks from 2023's below-average harvest, limited income-earning opportunities, and a decline in remittances from Iran, which is keeping household purchasing power low. In urban areas, at least one in five households are engaging in coping strategies indicative of Crisis (IPC Phase 3) as high unemployment rates amid a large influx of returnees from Pakistan and Iran keep household access to casual labor opportunities low despite declining food prices. However, average March to May rainfall is expected to support wheat production and agricultural labor opportunities, improving household access to food and income. The start of the harvest in June is expected to improve household food access across the country, with area-level Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes emerging in northern parts of the country as they recover from the multi-year drought. However, Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes are expected to remain present in higher elevation areas, where the harvest does not typically occur until October, and household access to income for food purchases is expected to remain low.
  • Although cumulative precipitation from October through February was below average across the country, deficits are declining following good precipitation in late February. Average precipitation from March to May will further reduce cumulative deficits across the country and support wheat production in the spring. However, forecast high temperatures and likely below-average snowpack may impact water availability for irrigation during the summer. Snowpack development in March and April will be important for water availability in the summer for downstream areas where irrigated crops are cultivated. 
  • In January 2024, WFP assisted 7.4 million people through emergency food, cash, and nutrition support, distributing around 25,500 metric tons of food. At the end of January, WFP had 42,420 metric tons of food available in its in-country warehouses, while another 34,000 metric tons were either in transit or stored in WFP warehouses located outside the country, indicating there is HFA available through at least April 2024. Beneficiaries of the ongoing distribution of HFA will likely be Stressed! (IPC Phase 2!) through at least the peak of the lean season. 
  • In January 2024, staple food prices in Afghanistan continued a declining trend, with prices around 1 to 3 percent lower than December 2023 and 20 to 25 percent lower than last year. The price decline can primarily be attributed to the appreciation of the Afghan Afghani (AFN). Despite a 3 percent depreciation in January, the currency remains relatively stronger than before September 2023. This appreciation of the AFN has benefited Afghan traders who import various goods, including food items. Furthermore, the ongoing importation of food commodities from neighboring countries, particularly Kazakhstan, Iran, and Pakistan, has played a significant role in maintaining a stable market supply, contributing to lower prices for essential food items. 
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Food Security
Key Message Update Historic precipitation deficits are likely to dissipate with precipitation in mid-to-late January Afghanistan January 2024
Food Security Outlook Update Precipitation deficits increase in December due to delayed start of wet season Afghanistan December 2023
Key Message Update A dry start to the 2023/24 wet season delays winter wheat planting Afghanistan November 2023
Agroclimatology
Seasonal Monitor Low snow water volumes and soil moisture remain a concern, but above-average precipitation beyond February may provide relief Afghanistan February 28, 2024
Seasonal Monitor Seasonal impacts of below-average precipitation thus far in the winter wet season are concerning if deficits aren’t reduced in February and March Afghanistan January 23, 2024
Seasonal Monitor Above average precipitation forecast during latter part of the winter wet season may aid additional spring wheat planting Afghanistan December 29, 2023
Markets & Trade
Price Bulletin Afghanistan Price Bulletin Afghanistan February 2024
Price Bulletin Afghanistan Price Bulletin Afghanistan January 2024
Price Bulletin Afghanistan Price Bulletin Afghanistan December 2023
Alerts / Special Reports
No reports available.
Food Security
Key Message Update Historic precipitation deficits are likely to dissipate with precipitation in mid-to-late January Afghanistan January 2024
Food Security Outlook Update Precipitation deficits increase in December due to delayed start of wet season Afghanistan December 2023
Key Message Update A dry start to the 2023/24 wet season delays winter wheat planting Afghanistan November 2023
Agroclimatology
Seasonal Monitor Low snow water volumes and soil moisture remain a concern, but above-average precipitation beyond February may provide relief Afghanistan February 28, 2024
Seasonal Monitor Seasonal impacts of below-average precipitation thus far in the winter wet season are concerning if deficits aren’t reduced in February and March Afghanistan January 23, 2024
Seasonal Monitor Above average precipitation forecast during latter part of the winter wet season may aid additional spring wheat planting Afghanistan December 29, 2023
Markets & Trade
Price Bulletin Afghanistan Price Bulletin Afghanistan February 2024
Price Bulletin Afghanistan Price Bulletin Afghanistan January 2024
Price Bulletin Afghanistan Price Bulletin Afghanistan December 2023
Alerts / Special Reports
No reports available.
Food Security Outlook Briefings Food Security Outlook Briefings
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Afghanistan (October 2023 - May 2024)

 
Food Security Classification Data View all Afghanistan classification data
Afghanistan Acute Food Insecurity Classification (February 2024 - September 2024)

Current (February 2024) food security outcomes and forward-looking analysis representing the most likely food security outcomes for the near term (February 2024 - May 2024) and medium term (June 2024 - September 2024) periods.

Afghanistan Acute Food Insecurity Classification Shapefile February 2024 (.zip) (ZIP) Afghanistan Acute Food Insecurity Classification February 2024 (.geojson) (GeoJSON) Current Situation: February 2024 (.png) (PNG) Near Term Projection: February 2024 - May 2024 (.png) (PNG) Medium Term Projection: June 2024 - September 2024 (.png) (PNG) Current Situation: February 2024 (.kml) (KML) Near Term Projection: February 2024 - May 2024 (.kml) (KML) Medium Term Projection: June 2024 - September 2024 (.kml) (KML)
Afghanistan Acute Food Insecurity Classification (January 2024 - May 2024)

Forward-looking analysis representing the most likely food security outcomes for the near term (January 2024) and medium term (February 2024 - May 2024) periods.

Afghanistan Acute Food Insecurity Classification Shapefile January 2024 (.zip) (ZIP) Afghanistan Acute Food Insecurity Classification January 2024 (.geojson) (GeoJSON) Near Term Projection: January 2024 (.png) (PNG) Medium Term Projection: February 2024 - May 2024 (.png) (PNG) Near Term Projection: January 2024 (.kml) (KML) Medium Term Projection: February 2024 - May 2024 (.kml) (KML)
Afghanistan Acute Food Insecurity Classification (December 2023 - May 2024)

Forward-looking analysis representing the most likely food security outcomes for the near term (December 2023 - January 2024) and medium term (February 2024 - May 2024) periods.

Afghanistan Acute Food Insecurity Classification Shapefile December 2023 (.zip) (ZIP) Afghanistan Acute Food Insecurity Classification December 2023 (.geojson) (GeoJSON) Near Term Projection: December 2023 - January 2024 (.png) (PNG) Medium Term Projection: February 2024 - May 2024 (.png) (PNG) Near Term Projection: December 2023 - January 2024 (.kml) (KML) Medium Term Projection: February 2024 - May 2024 (.kml) (KML)
Seasonal Calendar Seasonal Calendar
Description

The Seasonal Calendar reveals the annual and cyclical patterns in a community throughout the typical year.

Afghanistan Seasonal Calendar
Production & Trade Flow Maps
FEWS NET captures the market networks for a product in a given country or region, including their catchments and trade flow patterns.
Wheat, Northern Region, Normal Year Wheat, Western Region, Normal Year
Remote Sensing Imagery Remote Sensing Imagery
Description

USGS-provided data and imagery supports FEWS NET's monitoring efforts of weather and climate throughout the world.

View all remotely sensed imagery
Livelihood Zone Resources Livelihood Zone Resources
Afghanistan Livelihood Zone Descriptions, February 2011 Afghanistan Livelihoods Map, March 2011
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