Recent snowfall and below-normal temperatures in higher elevations alleviated concerns of short-term dryness in Afghanistan
Key Messages
• Early seasonal rainfall in October and November created good winter wheat sowing conditions. However, dry conditions prevailed over the central Afghanistan from mid-December to mid-January, increasing worries of a second underperforming wet season. Nonetheless, heavy precipitation that was received in late January filled deficits.
• Wheat flour prices in most of Afghanistan have been stable throughout the winter months and remain near the five-year average.
• Record high remittances received in Tajikistan will mitigate the effects of a slightly below-normal harvest and elevated food and diesel prices.