Agricultural activities throughout the country continue to be hindered by insecurity, shortages of agricultural inputs and poor irrigation system. Prospects for the 1997 winter crops are therefore uncertain. The 1997 aggregate output of wheat and barley is unofficially estimated at a below-normal 1.87 million tons.

According to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, flooding in April caused widespread damage to infrastructure and agriculture. About 2 500 livestock were reported killed, 7 100 hectares of farmland were flooded and 20 000 persons were affected by the floods in 10 provinces in northern part of the country. The Afghan Red Crescent Society estimated that about 500 000 families are in need of food assistance and relief items and appealed for 25 000 tons of food. An estimated 140 000 people were forced to leave their homes in the Shomali Valley, due to insecurity, and that a further 36 000 people have been displaced by fighting in Badghis.

Food prices have reportedly risen in March and April due to the non-availability of food during the lean season and the closure of the Pakistan border. After mid-May, prices started decreasing as a result of the onset of the harvest in eastern and southern parts of the country and the arrival of wheat from Pakistan.

An FAO/WFP Mission is currently making an on-the-spot assessment of the crop and food supply situation in the country.

The import requirement of cereals in 1997/98, mostly wheat, is forecast at about 1.5 million tons. Expected cereal food aid deliveries for 1996/97 amount to 150 000 tons.