Afghanistan

Presence country
Afghanistan
 Afghanistan Flag Afghanistan Flag
Important update

FEWS NET's latest analysis of acute food insecurity in Afghanistan is now available in our September 2025 Key Message Update. New acute food insecurity mapping and Population in Need (PIN) estimates for Afghanistan and other FEWS NET-monitored countries will be published in October 2025 in accordance with our Food Security Outlook (FSO) cycle. Please continue to check our website in the coming months as we reinstate our reporting cycle and restore country coverage following a brief pause in operations.
Latest analysis
Key Message Update September 2025 Compounding shocks increase concern for food security in the lean season Download the report
  • As the lean season begins in late 2025, food security conditions are of increasing concern. Households are facing the cumulative effects of multiple shocks: four consecutive years of drought, weak economic conditions despite some signs of recovery, and the continued return of households from Iran and Pakistan adds further pressure. The continued influx of returnees from Iran and Pakistan further strains labor markets, further limiting income for food purchases. These shocks are compounded by the severe earthquake that hit eastern Afghanistan in late August, which destroyed homes, disrupted livelihoods, and further strained household resources. This will likely result in further populations experiencing food consumption deficits. 
  • On August 31, a 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck eastern provinces, primarily affecting Kunar and Nangarhar provinces. The districts of Nurgal, Chawkay, Khas Kunar, Chapa Dara, Dara-Pech, and Watapur in Kunar province were among the most severely affected, while the Dara-e-Nur district was the most affected in Nangarhar province. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), as of late September, widespread destruction of homes, public infrastructure, and essential services, particularly in rural and mountainous areas, where buildings are highly vulnerable to seismic shocks. OCHA estimates that around 2,000 people were killed, over 3,600 were injured, and more than 8,000 homes were destroyed. Local communities and government authorities have led humanitarian relief efforts, and emergency medical and food assistance operations are ongoing. Thousands of people have been displaced and face significant challenges related to water, sanitation, and hygiene, which remain the primary focus of humanitarian assistance. Food security in earthquake-affected areas is likely to be of concern due to disruptions in livelihoods, and the winter season is rapidly approaching.
  • Below-average precipitation is most likely for the start of the October 2025 to May 2026 rainy season. Drought conditions at the start of the season are expected to be moderate and somewhat ease with the start of the precipitation season. Streamflow is expected to be below average through at least the start of the next precipitation season in October 2025. This is likely to limit water availability for second-season crops (mainly rice, cotton, and maize), most of which are expected to be harvested at the end of October in eastern and southern regions. The likely below-average start of the season will most likely negatively impact planting of winter wheat for the 2025/26 season, driving below-average levels of planting. Although the onset of precipitation in October will play a significant role in levels of planting, as early storms can trigger preparation and planting activities. 
  • The second-season harvest is currently ongoing, with regional variations. Second-season crops, mainly maize and rice, are generally under stress across the country due to limited water availability for irrigation. Crops in northern and northeastern provinces are mature and the harvest is expected to begin soon, whereas crop irrigation in the eastern and southern provinces will continue for 2-3 more weeks. Ongoing drought conditions have adversely impacted second-season crops, particularly maize and rice, in eastern provinces. Maize production in the eastern provinces has been severely affected by water shortages, particularly in downstream provinces such as Nangarhar, Laghman, and Balkh. 
  • As of mid-September, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, around 2.7 million Afghan migrants returned from Iran and Pakistan since the start of 2025, concentrated primarily in the villages of Islam Qala (Herat), Milak (Nimroz), Torkham (Nangarhar), and Spin Boldak (Kandahar). In August, the number of returnees sharply rose due to the Pakistan government’s decision to include Proof of Registration cardholders in its forced deportation plan, subjecting the cardholders to deportation for the first time. Despite the July announcement from the Pakistan government that Afghan refugees would be repatriated with a deadline set for September 1, deportations have continued at similar rates past the deadline as before. Returns of Afghan migrants from Iran have also increased slightly, amid growing reports of discrimination and harassment of Afghans in Iran. The continued influx of returnees will constrain labor markets, especially as agricultural labor decreases seasonally with the start of the winter season.
  • Exports rose sharply by 51 percent month-on-month in August and 54 percent year-on-year, reaching 176.6 million USD. This rebound was driven by several factors, including a preferential trade agreement reached with Pakistan, which temporarily reduced tariffs on agricultural goods. There was also a higher demand for Afghan products in Pakistan following recent monsoon-induced flooding in Pakistan, as well as the reopening of trade routes. While it remains unclear whether the recent surge in exports and a stable AFN have improved household purchasing power, the newly signed trade agreement with Pakistan is expected to positively impact households in the coming months through increased exports of vegetable products and broader market access.
  • According to the WFP, staple food prices in August remained generally stable compared to both July and the same time last year, supported by the recent harvest, steady supply, and a stable AFN exchange rate. Prices of locally produced rice, specifically in Kunduz, Baghlan, Takhar, Nangarhar, Laghman, and parts of Herat provinces, declined significantly (16 percent year-on-year), mainly due to the ongoing maize and rice harvests. The national average price of the Food Security and Agricultural Cluster food basket remained stable in August 2025.
  • Livestock terms of trade remained relatively stable, supported by steady wheat prices and livestock prices across the country. ‌Livestock selling is expected to begin with the winter season, in approximately one month. However, concerns remain around poor livestock body conditions, resulting in atypically high sales. Concentrated animal feed prices have increased by 9 percent compared to last year due to high demand, driven by below-average availability of natural fodder related to the ongoing drought. Since household purchasing power for livestock owners typically decreases during the winter months, higher prices of concentrated animal feed will limit livestock consumption. Instead, households will likely rely on low-quality locally available straw, which is expected to drive some declines in livestock body conditions and livestock prices through January. 
 Read the full analysis
More analysis View all Afghanistan analysis Food security
Key Message Update Afghanistan August 2025
Key Message Update Afghanistan July 2025
Food Security Outlook Afghanistan October 2024 - May 2025
Agroclimatology
Global Weather Hazards Global November 6, 2025 - November 12, 2025
Global Weather Hazards Global October 30, 2025 - November 5, 2025
Global Weather Hazards Global October 23, 2025 - October 29, 2025
Markets & trade
Price Watch Global February 28, 2023
Price Watch Global January 31, 2023
Supply and Market Outlook Middle East and Asia January 31, 2023
Alerts / Special Reports
Special Report Global June 23, 2025
Special Report Global May 1, 2025
Other Reports Afghanistan April 2021
Food security
Key Message Update Afghanistan August 2025
Key Message Update Afghanistan July 2025
Food Security Outlook Afghanistan October 2024 - May 2025
Agroclimatology
Global Weather Hazards Global November 6, 2025 - November 12, 2025
Global Weather Hazards Global October 30, 2025 - November 5, 2025
Global Weather Hazards Global October 23, 2025 - October 29, 2025
Markets & trade
Price Watch Global February 28, 2023
Price Watch Global January 31, 2023
Supply and Market Outlook Middle East and Asia January 31, 2023
Alerts / Special Reports
Special Report Global June 23, 2025
Special Report Global May 1, 2025
Other Reports Afghanistan April 2021
Food Security Classification Data View all Afghanistan Food Security Classification data
Afghanistan Acute Food Insecurity Classification

Current (October 2024) food security outcomes and forward-looking analysis representing the most likely food security outcomes for the near term (October 2024 - January 2025) and medium term (February 2025 - May 2025) periods.

 Afghanistan Acute Food Insecurity Classification Shapefile October 2024 (.zip) Afghanistan Acute Food Insecurity Classification October 2024 (.geojson) Current Situation: October 2024 (.png) Near Term Projection: October 2024 - January 2025 (.png) Medium Term Projection: February 2025 - May 2025 (.png) Current Situation: October 2024 (.kml) Near Term Projection: October 2024 - January 2025 (.kml) Medium Term Projection: February 2025 - May 2025 (.kml) Afghanistan Acute Food Insecurity Classification

Forward-looking analysis representing the most likely food security outcomes for the near term (September 2024) and medium term (October 2024 - January 2025) periods.

 Afghanistan Acute Food Insecurity Classification Shapefile September 2024 (.zip) Afghanistan Acute Food Insecurity Classification September 2024 (.geojson) Near Term Projection: September 2024 (.png) Medium Term Projection: October 2024 - January 2025 (.png) Near Term Projection: September 2024 (.kml) Medium Term Projection: October 2024 - January 2025 (.kml) Afghanistan Acute Food Insecurity Classification

Forward-looking analysis representing the most likely food security outcomes for the near term (August 2024 - September 2024) and medium term (October 2024 - January 2025) periods.

 Afghanistan Acute Food Insecurity Classification Shapefile August 2024 (.zip) Afghanistan Acute Food Insecurity Classification August 2024 (.geojson) Near Term Projection: August 2024 - September 2024 (.png) Medium Term Projection: October 2024 - January 2025 (.png) Near Term Projection: August 2024 - September 2024 (.kml) Medium Term Projection: October 2024 - January 2025 (.kml)
Seasonal Calendar

The Seasonal Calendar reveals the annual and cyclical patterns in a community throughout the typical year.
Seasonal Calendar image showing harvest and rainy periods for Afghanistan
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
Satellite-Derived Products

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

View all Satellite-Derived Products
Livelihood Zone Resources Afghanistan Livelihood Zone Descriptions, February 2011 Afghanistan Livelihoods Map, March 2011
Afghanistan 2011 Livelihood Zones Map (.PNG)
Get the latest food security updates in your inbox Sign up for emails

The information provided on this Website is not official U.S. Government information and does not represent the views or positions of the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Government.