Business
Illegal Iranian saffron in the country raises concerns
Saffron producers in Herat province have voiced concerns over the practise of importing saffron from Iran, which they say lowers the price of the spice on local markets.
Abdul Shakoor, head of a saffron producing company, said they have over the years exported hundreds of kilograms of saffron annually but that there is a growing trend among traders to import the spice illegally from Iran.
“It is a betrayal to the nation,” said Abdul Shakoor.
This comes after producers recorded a 30 percent increase in saffron exports last year.
Herat saffron exporters union said they have not been able to prove that saffron is being smuggled from Iran into Afghanistan but said controls in this regard were lacking.
“Some amount of saffron might be imported from Iran and will be exported from Afghanistan, but it is very rare. Afghanistan produces saffron by itself and there is no need for Iranian saffron,” said Mohamad Uthman Ansari, head of Herat saffron exporters union.
“We are not able to prove [reports] who imports the saffron… one thing that we notice is poor management,” said Bashir Ahmad Rashidi, head of Afghanistan saffron producers union.
The Afghan Ministry of Commerce and Industry said bringing saffron into Afghanistan is illegal.
Spokesman for the ministry, Ahmad Fawad Ahmadi said this week that action would be taken against anyone who brings saffron into the country illegally adding that Afghanistan’s saffron is the best in the world.
The press office of the Herat governor has announced the export of Afghanistan’s first shipment via the Khaf-Herat railway to Europe.
According to a statement from the office, the shipment includes 200 tons of dried fruits worth $1.2 million, which were exported to Turkey and Europe through the Khaf-Herat railway in the presence of Islam Jar, the governor of this province, and the Iranian Consul General.
The exported dried fruits in this shipment include pistachios, raisins, almonds, and pine nuts.
The statement added that over the past three months, more than 35,000 tons of goods have been transferred via the Khaf-Herat railway.
Business
Russia’s LPG exports to Afghanistan boom as Europe shuns it
The exports to Afghanistan, the main consumer of Russia’s LPG in the region, rose by 52% for the period to 71,000 tons.
Russia’s exports of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to Afghanistan and ex-Soviet states in Central Asia have jumped following introduction of European Union sanctions against Moscow at the end of 2024, industry sources said on Wednesday, Reuters reported.
The European Union’s sanctions against Russia’s LPG over the war in Ukraine took effect on December 20. The restrictions were proposed last year by Poland, one of Russia’s largest LPG importers.
LPG, or propane and butane, is mainly used as fuel for cars, heating and to produce other petrochemicals.
According to the industry sources, railway supplies of LPG from Russia’s plants, including the Kazrosgas joint venture with Kazakhstan, jumped to the region by 80% year on year in January – February to 140,000 metric tons, read the report.
The exports to Afghanistan, the main consumer of Russia’s LPG in the region, rose by 52% for the period to 71,000 tons.
Traders expect great scope for more supplies to Afghanistan, where annual demand for LPG is seen at around 700,000 tons per year.
Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce Nooruddin Azizi and Zhao Xing, the Chinese Ambassador to Kabul, met on Tuesday and discussed increasing Afghanistan’s exports to China, particularly pine nuts, pomegranates, and precious and semi-precious stones such as nephrite, onyx, lapis lazuli, and talc, the ministry said in a statement.
According to the statement the goal of the meeting was to facilitate direct exports to China in order to reduce transit costs and transportation of Afghan goods, as well as to address the importation of machinery needed for the country.
Azizi and Zhao have agreed to establish a joint working group for further coordination, expanding trade relations, and creating facilities for trade, with the aim of holding regular meetings, the statement read.
Tahawol: IEA leader’s call for global engagement discussed
Iran ready for indirect talks with US, Khamenei aide says
Saar: Ukraine’s response to Russia’s Black Sea deal discussed
Afghanistan ships first consignment to Europe via Khaf-Herat railway
Afghanistan-Iran-Europe railway corridor activated
Next German chancellor: We need to learn from experience in Afghanistan
Afghanistan cricket team will never be taken lightly again: Trott
Islamabad says Afghanistan is trying to build border post on Pakistani territory
Champions Trophy: How washed out Australia-South Africa match impacts Group B teams
Over 500,000 Afghans displaced due to climate disasters in 2024: IOM
Tahawol: IEA leader’s call for global engagement discussed
Saar: Ukraine’s response to Russia’s Black Sea deal discussed
Tahawol: Concerns over rising tensions between Iran-US reviewed
Saar: Russia-Ukraine Black Sea deal discussed
Tahawol: Overview of recent developments in Türkiye
-
International Sports5 days agoRCB bring fireworks to opening night of IPL 2025
-
Latest News5 days agoTorkham border reopens for pedestrians
-
Latest News5 days agoBayat Foundation distributes food aid to dozens of needy families in Balkh
-
International Sports4 days agoIPL 2025: Sunrisers on a batting rampage; triumph over Rajasthan Royals
-
Business4 days agoDeputy PM inaugurates launch of Arghandi Transport Terminal Project in Kabul Province
-
Latest News4 days agoEU says girls’ education crucial for Afghanistan’s long-term prosperity
-
Sport4 days agoACB names Afghanistan A squad for tri-nation series
-
Latest News4 days agoPakistan’s mistakes played significant role in rise of terrorism: Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman