Post-Conflict Afghanistan-Pakistan: Food Prices Soar as Public Struggles Amid Border Closure
After the closure of the border disrupted cross-border trade between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the prices of essential food items have skyrocketed in both countries. The escalation follows intense clashes and Pakistani airstrikes along the 2,600-kilometer border that began on October 11, causing sharp increases in food prices — particularly tomatoes and fruits.
Khan Jan Alokozai, head of the Pak-Afghan Chamber of Commerce in Kabul, told Reuters that all trade and transport activities have been suspended since the conflict began. “With each passing day, both sides are losing nearly one million US dollars,” he said.
Bilateral trade between the two countries is valued at around $2.3 billion annually, consisting mostly of fresh fruits, vegetables, minerals, medicines, wheat, rice, sugar, meat, and dairy products.
In Pakistan, the price of tomatoes, a key ingredient in everyday cooking, has surged by more than 400 percent, reaching nearly 600 Pakistani rupees per kilogram. Apples — most of which are imported from Afghanistan — have also become significantly more expensive.
According to a report by the Pakistani daily Express Tribune, the price of garlic has climbed to PKR 400 per kilogram, while ginger now sells for PKR 750 per kilogram. Onions are priced at PKR 120, peas at PKR 500, capsicum and okra at PKR 300, cucumber at PKR 150, local red carrots at PKR 200, and local lemons at PKR 300 per kilogram.
Alokozai added, “We have around 500 containers of vegetables ready for export every day — all of which have now spoiled.” He said the markets are already facing shortages of tomatoes, apples, and grapes.
The latest round of conflict reportedly began after Pakistan urged the Taliban government in Kabul to take action against militants carrying out attacks across the border. The Taliban administration denied the allegations.
Although a ceasefire was brokered last weekend through mediation by Qatar and Turkey, cross-border trade remains suspended. The next round of talks is expected to be held in Istanbul on October 25.
