Afghanistan: Monthly Market Report Issue 71: April 2026

Country: Afghanistan Source: World Food Programme Please refer to the attached file. KEY HIGHLIGHTS Key Economic Developments • Afghanistan’s economic environment remains fragile amid persistent regional trade disruptions, climate-related shocks, declining humanitarian aid, and continued large-scale returnee inflows. While modest economic recovery has continued, supported by domestic consumption, agriculture, and trade activity, economic growth remains insufficient to offset rapid population growth and worsening livelihood pressures. According to UNDP’s socioeconomic review, subsistence insecurity has deepened despite the recovery, with nearly three-quarters of the population unable to adequately meet basic living needs, while weak job creation, stalled local production, and limited investment continue to constrain broader economic recovery. Recurring floods, drought conditions, and irregular rainfall also continued to affect agricultural production and rural livelihoods, further increasing household vulnerability and food security risks. (World Bank; ADB; UNDP) • Regional trade disruptions continued to reshape Afghanistan’s import structure, following the closure of key crossings with Pakistan and operational constraints affecting transit routes through Iran and the Middle East corridor. As a result, trade has increasingly shifted toward western and northern corridors, including Iran and Central Asia, helping maintain the flow of essential imports. However, reliance on alternative routes has increased transportation costs, delivery times, and operational inefficiencies, contributing to higher import costs and localized price disparities. Despite these constraints, markets generally remained supplied, although elevated freight and logistics costs continued to place...

Original source: Relief Web