Attachments
Highlights
Food Items: Market prices collected during the first week of March 2025 show minor fluctuations compared to last week. While the price of rice (Palawi) and sugar shows a negligible increase, the prices of all other food items shows a decline due to a 0.8% appreciation in the value of Afghani against the USD. Compared to the same period last year, food commodity prices show a mixed trend—while the prices of some food items have decreased, the prices of cooking oil and salt remain significantly higher. Despite the declining trend observed during 2023 and 2024, the current prices of major food items remain substantially above pre-Covid levels and prices before the political changes in June 2021, except for wheat grain, wheat flour, and cooking oil.
Non-food Items: The national average prices of non-food commodities also experienced negligible fluctuations compared to last week, driven by a relative stability in the exchange rate. Due to limited labour opportunities during the winter, labour wage rates are at their lowest compared to other seasons. Similarly, the demand for non-food items, such as fertilizers and improved seeds, decreases during the winter, resulting in minimal price variations for these commodities. Year-on-year changes show a significant decline in the price of Urea, with slight decline in price of DAP and improved seeds. Meanwhile, the availability of labour per week is lower by 6% compared to the same time last year, whereas labour wage rates are improved by 4%. However, when compared to pre-Covid levels and June 2021, the availability of workdays per week has significantly declined, indicating a reduction in labour opportunities in the country.
Diesel: The national average diesel price was AFN 61.3 per litre in the 1st week of March 2025, down by 0.5% from last week and higher by 1% compared to last year. It remains 36% higher than pre-Covid levels and 24% above June 2021 prices. As of March 03, 2025, the global average diesel price is $1.20 per litre, which is slightly above the February average price.
Winter Fuel Items: Winter fuel prices showed minor changes on a weekly basis. However, compared to the same time last year, other than coal, the prices of all other fuel items have slightly increased. In comparison, coal remained the most affordable heating option for vulnerable households this winter due to its wide availability in the country.
Concerning Issues: A dispute over border construction started in February 2025 led to the closure of the Torkham crossing with Pakistan, which disrupted the flow of essential goods in and out of the country, mainly food items, leaving 5,000 trucks stranded at the border. This situation could lead to a potential rise in prices in the coming weeks.