Business
Pakistan’s exports to Afghanistan increases by 32%
Pakistan’s export volume to Afghanistan has increased by 32 percent from $500 million to $658 million in the first eight months of the fiscal year 2022-2023.
Similarly, trade between the two countries increased from July to February of the current fiscal year, rising by 28 percent to $1.33 billion from $1.04 billion, Pakistan’s the Nation reported.
The import of goods from Afghanistan also showed an increase of 24 percent, from $544.17 million to $675.01 million during the eight months, the report stated.
The export of tractors jumped by 808%, from $0.81 million to $7.34 million, and motorcycles by 591%, from %0.79 million to $5.49 million within the eight months of the fiscal year.
In addition, the export of pharmaceutical products to Afghanistan has increased by 214% from $28.52 million to $89.60%, and rubber by 165$ from $3.02 million to $8.01 million from July to February, of the current fiscal year.
Simultaneously, plastic products, kitchen utensils, rice, and cement exports have increased tremendously during the eight months of the current fiscal year. The export of cement increased by 19 percent during the ongoing fiscal year.
According to the State Bank of Pakistan, the country’s exports to Afghanistan were recorded at US $285.177 million from July-January (2022-23) against US $257.888 million in exports from July-January (2021-22), showing growth of 10.58 percent.
Meanwhile, “Afghanistan is exporting about 10,000 tons of coal daily to Pakistan,” a recent SIGAR report said. “Between June and July 2022, the Islamic Emirate tripled prices on coal exports to raise revenue from its mining sector amid booming coal export to Pakistan,” the report said.
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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