Afghanistan
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- At least one in five households is likely facing Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes in Afghanistan's northeastern and central highlands due to the impact of flooding and ongoing macroeconomic challenges that are affecting household access to income and keeping purchasing capacity low. However, food access is expected to improve with the start of the harvest in these areas in September. Similarly, households in urban areas continue to grapple with low purchasing capacity due to limited access to labor opportunities and a decline in remittances despite ongoing declines in food prices. However, in lowland areas, Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes are expected to prevail through the projection period as the recent harvest improves food access and availability.
- The first wheat harvest for the 2023/24 agriculture season has concluded in the lowland areas of the eastern, northern, and southern provinces. Harvesting is still ongoing in the central and western regions, while wheat harvesting in the central and northeastern highlands is expected to commence in September. Additionally, the harvesting of stone fruits (cherry, almond, apricots, and nuts) started in June and is ongoing. However, the harvest is likely to be below average due to a cold snap from late February to early March, followed by above-average temperatures, which significantly impacted the blooming of stone fruits. The planting of second crops, including rice, maize, or cotton, in the lowlands of northern, western, southern, and eastern provinces is likely to continue through July and is expected to be near average, supported by favorable precipitation, good soil moisture, and improved water availability.
- In June, WFP provided general food, cash, and nutrition assistance to around 853,500 individuals through its hotspot response distributions. Humanitarian food assistance distribution typically decreases during the peak of the harvesting season (June-August). However, WFP is reporting funding constraints for the next six months that could result in a decline in assistance. In June and July, flooding associated with the Indian monsoon affected at least 1,925 households in the eastern and northeastern, as well as central regions, particularly in Nangarhar, Kunar, and Laghman, with further assessments ongoing. There was also flooding that affected households in Badakhshan, Daikudni, and Bamyan provinces. The recent floods led to localized damage to vegetable crops, but humanitarian partners are ramping up response efforts.
- In June 2024, staple food prices in Afghanistan remained stable, primarily due to the ongoing harvest of wheat, vegetables, and fruits, which increased market supplies. Additionally, the ongoing and consistent supply of imports, stability of the Afghani currency against the USD, and steady diesel prices are supporting food prices. The retail price of wheat flour averaged 24 AFN/kg nationwide in June, with prices ranging from 17-31 AFN/kg. Overall, wheat grain prices are 16 percent lower than last year and 14 percent lower than the four-year average. However, in June, the Pakistani government imposed a 300 percent increase in import tariffs for Afghan fruits and vegetables, which reduced export market demand and resulted in higher local market supply and lower selling prices within Afghanistan. Non-agricultural wage work availability increased slightly, supported by seasonal improvements, but it remains comparable to last year and the four-year average. However, low liquidity among middle and better-off households is continuing to limit agricultural wage work availability.
Recommended citation: FEWS NET. Afghanistan Key Message Update July 2024: The harvest and stable prices bolster food availability despite localized flooding in the country, 2024.
This Key Message Update provides a high-level analysis of current acute food insecurity conditions and any changes to FEWS NET's latest projection of acute food insecurity outcomes in the specified geography. Learn more here.