Herat’s Department of Agriculture and Livestock says this year’s production of raisins in the province has dropped by a staggering 50% compared to previous years.

According to officials, gardeners will end up with about 7,000 metric tons of raisins this year, against an average annual yield of up to 15,000 metric tons in the past.

“Last year we harvested between 15,000 metric tons of grapes and this year we will have approximately five to seven thousand metric tons of raisins,” said Bashir Ahmad Ahmadi, director of agricultural affairs of Herat Department of Agriculture and Livestock.

According to officials, there are about 12,125 hectares of vineyards in Herat, and every year gardeners harvest up to 150,000 metric tons of grapes.

However, due to drought and extreme cold last winter, their harvests have dropped considerably.