Business
Afghanistan fresh fruit production increases by 25% this year
Officials at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock say that this year, the production of agricultural products and fresh fruit has increased by 25 percent compared to last year.
They consider the next two months important in the production and export of agricultural products and say that at the end of these two months, they will share the exact figures with the people.
Officials at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock say agricultural production was low last year, but this year, agricultural production, especially in the fresh fruit sector, has increased significantly. According to them, they have worked a lot with farmers and gardeners in the capacity building sector this year.
“According to the reports of our local colleagues, it has been determined that our products have increased by 25% compared to last year,” said Akbar Rostami, a spokesman for the Ministry of Agriculture and Maldives.
The Chamber of Agriculture acknowledges the increase in agricultural products and says that now the Ministry of Commerce must find domestic and foreign markets for agricultural products.
“We accept that our products have increased, but serious measures must be taken for marketing,” said Mirwais Hajizadah, deputy director of the Chamber of Agriculture and Livestock.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade says that due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus, trade in the country faced difficulties, but now they have been able to export agricultural products.
Jawad Dabir, spokesman for the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said: “At the beginning of the current fiscal year, we faced problems in the export sector, but now our exports are going to the markets of the countries in the region. Efforts are also being made to reach global markets.”
Economists are still critical of export policy, saying serious measures should be taken.
Pakistan’s kinno exports remain far below potential as regional tensions, high freight costs and weak government support continue to choke the citrus trade.
Despite being a leading global citrus producer, Pakistan is expected to export just 400,000–450,000 tonnes of kinno in the 2025–26 season, compared with an estimated capacity of 700,000–800,000 tonnes.
Exports in 2024–25 stood at around 350,000–400,000 tonnes, mainly to Russia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Indonesia and Central Asia. While better fruit quality this season has raised hopes, persistent crossing disruptions—especially with Afghanistan—and transport bottlenecks have offset gains.
Growers say prices have collapsed sharply, forcing panic sales. Rates for large kinno have fallen from over Rs120 per kg early in the season to as low as Rs75, while smaller fruit is selling for Rs35–40 per kg amid weak demand.
Industry leaders warn the crisis is crippling processing units and jobs. More than 100 factories reportedly failed to open this season, with dozens more shutting down as exports stall. Cold storages in Sargodha are nearly full, putting fruit worth millions of dollars at risk of spoilage, while growers fear losses of up to Rs10 billion.
Exporters are urging the government to urgently resolve issues, subsidise logistics, and help access alternative markets, warning that prolonged inaction could devastate farmers, workers and the wider economy.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said that Tehran will facilitate trade and economic exchanges with Afghanistan, including easing procedures at customs and local marketplaces.
He made the remarks during a televised interview following his visit to South Khorasan province, which shares a border with Afghanistan.
Pezeshkian, in a separate event addressing local business leaders, highlighted the province’s strategic advantages, citing its rich mineral resources, proximity to neighboring countries such as Afghanistan and Pakistan, and access to the ocean via the Chabahar port. He described the region as “a golden opportunity not found everywhere,” emphasizing its potential for economic growth and cross-border commerce.
A Kazakh delegation led by the Deputy Minister of Finance of Kazakhstan met with Sediqullah Khalid, First Deputy Governor of Da Afghanistan Bank, to discuss ways of strengthening banking and economic cooperation between the two countries.
According to a statement issued by Da Afghanistan Bank, Khalid said the central bank is keen to establish regular and effective banking relations with Kazakhstan as part of broader efforts to expand bilateral trade.
He noted that enhanced banking cooperation would help facilitate trade, investment, and wider economic interaction between Afghanistan and Kazakhstan, while also contributing to financial stability at the regional level.
Members of the Kazakh delegation also emphasized the importance of developing banking and economic ties and expressed their readiness to expand joint cooperation.
The two sides further agreed to establish technical committees from both countries to hold expert-level discussions and advance practical steps for cooperation.
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