Alcohol in Afghanistan

The production and consumption of alcoholic beverages, especially wine, in Afghanistan has a long tradition – going back at least to the fourth century BC.

[1][4] Bringing two bottles or two litres of alcoholic beverages was allowed for foreigners entering Afghanistan prior to the Taliban takeover in August 2021.

[1][3] During the era of King Amanullah and Zahir Shah of the Afghan royal family, Alcohol was part of society and the elite in Kabul were known for their extravagant parties.

Afghanistan currently has about 60,000 hectares (150,000 acres) of areas cultivating grapes and excellent climate and terroir suitable for quality wine.

[7] His autobiographical memoirs, the Baburnama, is said to mention especially neighboring Istalif (the name possibly derived from Greek staphile, grape), "with vineyards and orchards on either side of its torrent, its waters cold and pure".

[9] The largest part of vineyards was close to Herat, Kandahar and Kabul; smaller areas have been found on the northern border.

[9] The French survey has focused on the largest professional vineyards, but mentions grapes being grown in various gardens, even at 2,400 m altitude in Nuristan Province.

[12] Enforcement of the law is inconsistent, and alcohol is widely available on the black market, especially in Kabul and in the western city of Herat, where good homemade wine is reported to be readily available at reasonable prices.

[16][17] Before the Taliban took over in August 2021, foreign tourists were permitted to import two bottles or two liters of alcoholic beverages when entering Afghanistan.

In 2009, after news of the death of 125 civilians in air strikes, General Stanley McChrystal, the head of ISAF, tried to contact troop officials.