The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has reported that following the closure of Pakistan’s border crossings, Iran has become Afghanistan’s main trade route, with about 60 percent of the country’s trade now conducted through western routes. This shift occurred after the formal trade through Pakistan halted in late 2025.<\/p>\n
A recent report released by the agency on Friday noted a significant increase in imports via Central Asian rail lines alongside this change. Although traders have managed to maintain export and import flows, the alternative routes are longer and more expensive, resulting in higher transportation costs.<\/p>\n
According to the report, rising transportation costs have driven up the prices of food, fuel, and agricultural inputs in Afghanistan. The cost of a basic food basket increased by around 10 percent between October 2025 and April 2026. During the same period, the proportion of households with acceptable food security dropped from 28 percent to 20 percent.<\/p>\n
The WFP warned that Afghanistan is facing multiple crises simultaneously, including the continued closure of Pakistan’s borders, Middle Eastern tensions, a reduction in humanitarian aid, and a large-scale return of migrants from neighboring countries\u2014factors that collectively intensify food insecurity. The agency estimates that currently 13.8 million people in the country are experiencing crisis or emergency levels of food insecurity.<\/p>\n
If Pakistan’s border remains closed and regional tensions persist, an additional 2.3 million people are projected to face acute hunger within the next six months. The report points to Pakistan’s border restrictions as a main driver of rising food prices.<\/p>\n
Compared to October 2025, prices have surged for several staples: Pakistani rice by 38 percent, tomatoes by 71 percent, potatoes by 105 percent, sugar by 27 percent, and cooking oil by 12 percent. Fuel prices also rose by 13 percent due to Afghanistan’s reliance on imported petroleum products.<\/p>\n
These developments have placed additional strain on the agricultural sector. The loss of Pakistan\u2019s import route combined with global increases in chemical fertilizer prices have pushed up the cost of agricultural inputs. By April 2026, prices of diammonium phosphate fertilizer rose by 18 percent and urea by 36 percent year-on-year, raising concerns about future agricultural output.<\/p>\n
The report also highlights the labor market\u2019s inability to absorb the influx of returning migrants. Since 2023, roughly six million migrants have returned from Iran and Pakistan to Afghanistan, but only about 20 percent have secured formal employment. In some areas, unemployment among returnees reaches between 80 to 95 percent, and those employed earn on average 15 to 30 percent less than other workers.<\/p>\n
The WFP warned that worsening economic conditions have exacerbated the malnutrition crisis, predicting that 3.7 million children in Afghanistan will suffer from acute malnutrition this year\u2014the highest recorded figure in the country. However, due to severe funding shortages, the agency expects to reach less than one-third of the children in need of treatment.<\/p>\n
Additionally, disruptions to imports of specialized therapeutic foods from Pakistan have challenged nutrition programs, with shortages particularly severe in southern Afghanistan. Moreover, humanitarian organizations are now forced to use longer routes through Iran and Central Asia, increasing transportation costs by 2.5 to 5 times and extending delivery times for some shipments from about 10 days to 75 days.<\/p>\n
The WFP has called on the international community to increase financial aid while strengthening food security monitoring systems. The organization believes closer surveillance of people’s access to food can help prevent the crisis from worsening.<\/p>\n
It also stressed that humanitarian aid must become more flexible to effectively reach those in need amid volatile economic and trade conditions. This warning comes as many countries worldwide face escalating challenges in securing food and basic services.<\/p>\n
Humanitarian experts say that any disruption in supply chains and reduction in international support could expose the most vulnerable populations to greater risks and expand the crisis\u2019s scope. The World Food Programme emphasized that the resumption of trade through Pakistan would be the most effective measure to improve food security in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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