Afghanistan Sees Food Prices Rise by 2.3% in November
The National Statistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan has confirmed a 2.3% average increase in food prices during the month of Aqrab (November). The rise is primarily attributed to higher costs of grains, meat, fruits, and vegetables.
According to the latest report, the prices of legumes rose by 1.3%, meat by 1.6%, fruits by 10.3%, and vegetables by 2.1%. At the same time, non-food items also saw a 1.2% increase, driven mainly by a 3.5% rise in the housing index and a 13.9% jump in healthcare costs.
The overall Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation in Aqrab increased by 1.6% compared to the previous month. The rise in both food and non-food prices has been cited as the reason behind this trend.
Year-on-year inflation for Aqrab 1404 (November 2023) shows an 8.5% increase compared to the same period last year. This indicates growing economic pressure on Afghan households, whose daily lives are directly impacted by such fluctuations.
Despite a modest strengthening of the afghani currency—from 66.8 in the month of Mizan to 66.6 against the dollar in Aqrab—this change only represents a 0.4% appreciation. Compared to the previous year, the afghani has gained just 1.8% against the dollar.
The rise in essential goods prices comes amid the Taliban administration’s ineffective economic policies, which have not curbed inflation and have instead contributed to its acceleration. The lack of a clear economic strategy and neglect of public welfare have exacerbated hardship for citizens across the country.
