Iran Becomes Afghanistan’s Main Trade Corridor

DID Press: World Food Programme (WFP) says Iran has become Afghanistan’s most important trade corridor following prolonged disruptions along Pakistan’s borders, with around 60% of Afghanistan’s trade now flowing through western routes via Iran.

The report, released on Friday, states that after the suspension of official trade routes through Pakistan in late 2025, Afghan traders shifted to alternative corridors through Iran and Central Asian rail networks.

While trade flows have continued, the WFP warns that the new routes are longer and more expensive, contributing to higher prices for food, fuel, and agricultural inputs across Afghanistan.

The agency further cautions that the shift is occurring amid multiple overlapping crises, including closed Pakistan borders, regional instability linked to Middle East tensions, declining humanitarian aid, and large-scale returns of Afghan migrants from neighboring countries.

According to the report, the cost of a basic food basket increased by around 10% between October 2025 and April 2026, while the proportion of households with adequate food access fell from 28% to 20%.

It adds that 72% of households reported declining incomes, and 57% have resorted to coping mechanisms such as reducing meals or selling productive assets to meet basic needs.

The WFP estimates that 13.8 million people in Afghanistan are currently facing crisis or emergency levels of food insecurity. In a worst-case scenario, this number could rise by an additional 2.3 million within six months if border closures and regional tensions persist.

The report identifies Pakistan’s border restrictions as a key driver of rising prices. Compared to October 2025, prices have increased sharply for imported goods, including rice (38%), tomatoes (71%), potatoes (105%), sugar (27%), cooking oil (12%), and fuel (13%).

It also highlights growing pressure on Afghanistan’s agricultural sector, noting that the loss of Pakistani import routes and rising global fertilizer costs have increased production expenses. By April 2026, prices of diammonium phosphate rose by 18% and urea by 36% year-on-year, raising concerns about future declines in agricultural output.