The Economic Deputy Office of the Prime Minister has announced that, to support local producers and achieve self-sufficiency, the import of salt into Afghanistan has been banned.
Kabul 24: This decision aims to bolster domestic production and reduce reliance on foreign products. According to Afghan authorities, the country currently produces approximately 344,000 tons of salt annually, fully meeting the domestic demand for both edible and animal salt, with potential surplus capacity for further market development and possible exports.
Official statistics indicate that Afghanistan requires around 300,000 tons of salt each year, comprising 160,000 tons of edible salt for human consumption and 140,000 tons of animal salt for livestock use.
At present, 53 salt production and processing factories operate across the country, utilizing modern technology and local labor to effectively meet market needs.
These factories have also played a significant role in creating job opportunities, contributing to economic growth and reducing unemployment in various regions.
Afghanistan is endowed with substantial salt reserves, with mines identified in provinces such as Takhar, Samangan, Balkh, Faryab, Ghor, Herat, Parwan, Ghazni, Paktia, and Kandahar.
These natural resources provide a strong foundation for self-sufficiency in salt production.
Three weeks ago, the Economic Deputy of the Islamic Emirate announced that Afghanistan has achieved complete self-sufficiency in 130 sectors and partial self-sufficiency in 100 others, marking significant progress toward economic independence.
However, some reports have highlighted public dissatisfaction with the quality of certain domestic products, including salt.
Citizens have called for improved standards and enhanced quality to ensure greater confidence in locally produced goods. Authorities are urged to address these concerns through stricter oversight and improvements in production processes to strengthen public trust in domestic products and sustain the momentum toward self-reliance
