Taliban Suspended Wheat Export: Taliban government-imposed restrictions on wheat exports, citing food shortage

Ever since the Taliban government came to power in Afghanistan, the whole country is going towards ruin. The situation in Afghanistan is deteriorating day by day after the occupation of the Taliban. Wheat crops have been destroyed due to drought in Afghanistan. Most of the country has already banned the export of wheat citing a shortage of food grains. Now the Taliban has also joined this episode. A local media reported, that the Taliban on Thursday suspended the export and trade of wheat to avoid food shortages.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, tweeted, "The country's Ministry of Finance has instructed all customs to separate the wheat from going abroad. The move is aimed at curbing wheat and food insecurity in the country.

Crop affected due to less rain

As Khama Press reports, farmers in Afghanistan are complaining about less rain and their agricultural land, which is drying up this year.

Furthermore, as a result of recent political developments, the Afghan people are facing a serious humanitarian crisis. In addition, food prices, especially wheat, have risen significantly since Russia began its military campaign in Ukraine.

Wheat prices increased by up to 50 percent

While wheat prices have increased by up to 50 percent in different parts of Kandahar province, it is being claimed that some people have started smuggling wheat to Pakistan.

Earlier, the World Food Program (WFP) had reported that since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, more than 22 million people are facing severe hunger, Khama Press reported. According to the United Nations, hunger and food shortages have affected 97 percent of the Afghan population.

Afghanistan is estimated to need more than six million tonnes of wheat each year to feed its 33 million population.

The decision to ban wheat exports comes at a time when India has pledged to provide 50,000 tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan as humanitarian aid besides medicines.

Afghan's bad condition since August last year

Afghanistan has been facing a serious humanitarian crisis and food shortage since the Taliban takeover in August last year. Without adequate food and proper nutrition, children can become malnourished leading to illness, infection, stunting, and death, reports Tolo News.

Also Read: Wheat Export Ban: Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan expressed concern over global food insecurity, India took steps to help