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Afghanistan

Afghanistan: Countrywide Weekly Market Report: Issue 230: Week 1 - January 2025

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Highlights

Food Items: Market price data collected during the first week of January 2025 is showing negligible decrease in the prices of wheat grain, wheat flours, rice (Sholae), cooking oil, pulses and sugar. Meanwhile, the prices of main vegetables which include tomato, potato and onion experienced a slight increase compared to last week. Compared to last year same time, the prices of food commodities, except for cooking oil, salt and potato are slightly lower, with significant decline in prices of wheat grain, rice (Sholae), sugar and tomato. However, the current prices for main food items are significantly higher compared to the pre-Covid levels and compared to the prices before the political changes in the country in the month of June 2021 (except for wheat grain and wheat flours, and cooking oil). Fluctuations in inflation rates, exchange rates, global price trends and seasonal impact are the primary factors influencing changes in price levels.

Non-food Items: The national average prices of non-food commodities are showing a normal trend with minor fluctuations on weekly basis. However, with the arrival of the winter season, the availability of labour work is showing a significant decline due to lower demand for construction and agriculture sector labour during the winter. Year-on-year changes show a significant decline in the price of Urea, with slight decline in price of DAP, improved seeds and animal feed. Similarly, the availability of labour per week and labour wage rates are higher compared to the same time last year.

Diesel: The national average price of diesel has remained relatively stable throughout 2024, recorded at AFN 59.9 per litre during the first week of January 2025. The current price is only 0.8% higher from last week and 1% lower than the same time last year. However, it remains 33% higher than pre-COVID levels and 21% higher than prices in June 2021. Globally, diesel prices vary significantly, with major oil-producing and exporting nations having substantially lower diesel prices. As of January 2025, the global average price for diesel stands at $1.17 per litre with no changes from last month.

Winter Fuel Items: The prices of winter fuel commodities, primarily coal and Balot wood, which are commonly used in heating appliances during the winter season, show varying trends. The price of Balot wood decreased by 2.4% compared to last week, while the prices other fuel items should a slight increase. Due to the increase in price of wood compared to last year, majority of households are expected to rely on coal during this winter due to its lower price. Similarly, gas, which is widely used for both heating and cooking during winter, is negligibly cheaper than last year. This price reduction is attributed to a strengthened exchange rate, as gas is imported into the country