- Following the historic 2009 wheat harvest, generous food aid distribution, and a 50 percent decrease in wheat prices compared to the same period last year, the second season crops of maize and rice have been generally successful all over Afghanistan due to plenty of irrigation water, particularly in areas that rely on rivers. As winter approaches, food security conditions normally deteriorate in Afghanistan, particularly in chronically food insecure zones, urban areas, flood affected areas, and where internally displaced persons (IDPs) are concentrated. In many regions, food insecurity will only reach moderate levels this winter, unlike last year's highly food-insecure levels.
- Pakistan recently imposed a 4 percent import tax and a 14 percent sales tax on Afghan vegetables and fruit. This significantly decreased Afghan exports to Pakistan, which resulted in reduced income for farmers in Nangarhar, Laghman, Bamyan, Wardak, and Prawan provinces. This situation is likely to negatively impact food security conditions for these farmers, but it will also improve Afghan consumers' access to vegetables and fruit.
- According to International Research Institute for Weather Forecast, Afghanistan is likely to have above normal precipitation in October, November, and December. If this forecast becomes true, the output of 2010 agriculture year is going to be optimistic which will increase the resilience capacity of farmers against shocks as this will be the second year that Afghanistan will be experiencing friendly climatic conditions.
