Wheat and meslin market in Afghanistan

Earlier Report Observations

The wheat and meslin market in Afghanistan expanded strongly from 3 613 тыс. т in 2018 to 5 782 тыс. т in 2020. This growth was driven by the implementation of the Afghanistan National Trade Policy 2019-2023, which aimed to promote inclusive growth and improve trade regulations and market access for agricultural products. Earlier government intervention to mitigate drought risks and Afghanistan's WTO membership further supported a more stable environment for production and trade.

Market volume contracted to 4 593 тыс. т in 2021 but stabilized around 4 531 тыс. т in 2022. The establishment of a new economic corridor connecting Afghanistan with Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and China facilitated faster and cheaper goods transfer, enhancing trade logistics for agricultural commodities. Concurrently, strict controls on illegal foreign currency exports by the Islamic Emirate helped stabilize the Afghani exchange rate, contributing to a more predictable trade environment.

In 2023, the market recovered to 4 834 тыс. т. This increase coincided with reported agricultural exports reaching $2 billion in the first four months of the year, reflecting heightened production and export capacity. Efforts to diversify into new export markets for fresh fruits signaled broader sectoral development, which likely supported overall agricultural activity including wheat and meslin.

Production wheat and meslin in Afghanistan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

On a global scale, Afghanistan ranked as the 28th largest producer of wheat and meslin during the period from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of wheat and meslin, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat and meslin, 2017-2020

Afghanistan's wheat and meslin production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 5 185 K t, marking a moderate rise of 6.0% compared to 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 21.1%, which translates to an annualized rate of 6.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3 613 K t, when output fell by 15.6%. This was followed by a significant rebound in 2019, with production surging by 35.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Afghanistan in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports wheat and meslin from Afghanistan

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Afghanistan's foreign wheat and meslin exports amounted to 0.0 K t, showing negligible change from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2020, exports expanded dramatically by 934.1%, averaging an annual growth rate of 117.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Afghanistan in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates was the dominant buyer of wheat and meslin from Afghanistan, accounting for 91.2% of total exports in volume terms.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Afghanistan in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of Afghanistan's wheat and meslin exports was 0.0 M $ US, remaining essentially unchanged from 2019. Over the period from 2018 to 2020, export values increased by 143.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 34.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Afghanistan in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the export market in value terms was primarily shaped by the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan, which together represented 100.0% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Afghanistan in value, 2017-2020

Imports wheat and meslin to Afghanistan

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Afghanistan's wheat and meslin imports reached 596.9 K t, showing little variation compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports declined by 18%, corresponding to an annualized decrease of 6.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Afghanistan in kind, 2017-2020, K t

During 2017–2020, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan were the leading sources for Afghanistan's wheat and meslin imports in volume, jointly making up 82.6% of total imports, while other countries contributed smaller shares.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Afghanistan in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Afghanistan's wheat and meslin import value stood at 139.7 M $ US, holding steady relative to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import values fell by 13.6%, averaging an annual decline of 4.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Afghanistan in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan accounted for 80.2% of Afghanistan's total wheat and meslin import value, with other nations forming a diverse but less substantial portion of the import market.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Afghanistan in value, 2017-2020