The World Food Program says food prices in Afghanistan remain elevated, while limited job opportunities are adding pressure on household budgets, even as access to work has improved slightly to 1.9 days per week, still well below last year and the three-year average.The WFP said in a weekly update report on markets that wheat prices — a key measure of food security in the country — are about 21 percent higher than a year ago, the report found, underscoring the persistent pressure on families even as weekly price changes have stabilized, the report says. The report says markets are functioning, but the cost of basic goods remains elevated while job opportunities lag behind.In its latest weekly assessment, the agency said wheat grain prices rose slightly by 0.4 percent, while wheat flour increased between 0.5 percent and 1.5 percent, reflecting continued pressure on staple foods that underpin most household diets.The report found that overall food prices showed mixed but limited changes during the third week of April. Cooking oil declined by 2.2 percent, pulses fell by 0.7 percent, and high-quality rice dropped by 1.4 percent, while low-quality rice remained nearly unchanged. Sugar prices were stable, the agency said.Despite these short-term movements, nearly all major food commodities remain significantly more expensive than a year ago. Wheat flour is up between 11 and 16 percent, rice between 23 and 45 percent, cooking oil by 7 percent and sugar by 19 percent, according to the WFP report, underscoring persistent inflationary pressure.The report attributes much of this strain to ongoing disruptions in trade flows. Following the closure of key border crossings with Pakistan, Afghanistan has increasingly relied on alternative routes through Iran and Central Asia. While these corridors remain active, they come with higher transport costs, longer delivery times and logistical inefficiencies.Rail connections have expanded to help offset these challenges. The report noted increased cargo movement through Aqina, Hairatan and the Khaf–Herat corridor, which has helped sustain supply flows. Still, the agency described market conditions as “functional but under stress,” with elevated prices reflecting the cumulative impact of prolonged disruption.Vegetable prices offered some short-term relief. Tomatoes fell by 8 percent and potatoes by nearly 10 percent during the week, reflecting improved seasonal availability. But both remain significantly higher than a year ago — by 52 percent and 78 percent, respectively. Onion prices declined slightly and remain 48 percent lower than last year, highlighting uneven trends across produce markets.Non-food costs continue to add to economic pressure. Diesel prices declined slightly by 0.7 percent during the week but remain 13 percent higher than a year earlier. Fertilizer prices showed mixed movement, with urea rising by 1.6 percent and diammonium phosphate stable, though both remain significantly more expensive year-on-year — up 37 percent and 18 percent respectively.The report also pointed to continued strain in the labor market. While work availability improved modestly to 1.9 days per week — a 6.8 percent increase from the previous week — it remains 20 percent below last year and 15 percent below the three-year average.Although daily wages for casual labor have remained largely unchanged, the World Food Program said purchasing power remains weak as high prices offset income gains.The findings reflect a broader economic reality in Afghanistan, where supply chains have adapted to shifting trade routes but at a higher cost, leaving households facing sustained pressure from rising prices and limited earning opportunities. (ICE Doha)

Fonte notizia: Amu TV