Herat records bumper grape harvest

Grape farmers in western Herat province said Thursday that 159,000 tons of grapes were harvested in the province this year.

The farmers, mostly small subsistence farmers, called however for assistance to help secure domestic and international markets for their produce, stating they are running at a loss every year.

“There are more grapes, but people don’t buy them. It doesn’t help us,” Abdul Karim, one local grape farmer.

Herat officials have confirmed that the grape harvest for this year has increased against last year’s 130,000 tons and said farmers were struggling to sell their produce.

According to officials, at least 12,000 hectares have been used to plant vines and that 60% of the produce is dried and sold as raisins.
Taliban officials in the province have said they are working on ways to improve sales for the farmers.

“We understand these problems. There are more grapes and other fresh fruit. Some of it should be transferred to other provinces. Efforts are underway,” said Mawlawi Pir Mohammad Halimi, the head of the Taliban’s unit for agriculture in Herat.

Herat’s Chamber of Commerce and Investment have stated that basic plans to export grapes have not been established.