Afghanistan Times
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KABUL — Facing potential disruptions to vital food imports from Iran due to the escalating Iran-Israel conflict, Afghanistan is accelerating efforts to secure essential food supplies from Russia, its key trading partner. Agriculture Minister Ataullah Omari revealed that Afghan officials are currently in talks with Russian authorities during an economic conference in St. Petersburg to increase imports of wheat and other staples.
While Afghanistan aims for agricultural self-sufficiency, it still depends on imports—particularly dairy products—from Iran. With Iran embroiled in a week-old war with Israel, trade flows have become uncertain. Russia, the world’s largest wheat exporter, along with Kazakhstan, currently supplies much of Afghanistan’s wheat and flour needs, as well as sugar and vegetable oil.
“We have requested Russia to send wheat instead of flour to better meet our consumption needs,” Omari said, highlighting that Afghanistan’s wheat production rose 10% last year but still falls short of its annual demand of 6.8 million metric tons.
Since Russia lifted its ban on the Islamic Emirate in April, economic ties have deepened, with Afghanistan importing gas, oil, and wheat from Moscow, marking a significant step in overcoming international isolation.
Omari also voiced concern for nearly 4.5 million Afghan refugees living in Iran, warning that any harm caused by the conflict there would deeply affect the Afghan nation.
