Officials from the Kandahar Chamber of Commerce and Investment have reported a dramatic rise in the export of fresh and dried fruits over the past year.
Kabul 24: According to data provided by the chamber, approximately 294,000 metric tons of fresh and dried fruits were exported from Kandahar to international markets during the last 12 months.
The total value of these exports is estimated at $519 million USD, marking an extraordinary achievement for farmers and traders in the southern region of the country.
Abdul Baqi Bina, Deputy Director of the Kandahar Chamber of Commerce and Investment, stated regarding the export destinations that these products were shipped to various nations, including India, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Canada, and several other countries.
This diversification of target markets demonstrates that Kandahar’s produce—particularly its pomegranates, grapes, figs, and raisins—has successfully secured a strong foothold in both regional and global markets.
Despite these promising figures, local merchants and fruit exporters believe the region’s export potential is significantly higher than current levels. They are calling on the government to take decisive action to address ongoing trade hurdles.
Key demands from industry stakeholders include establishing alternative transit routes to reduce reliance on limited corridors, identifying new export markets, simplifying the visa issuance process for business owners, and eliminating transport-related bottlenecks.
Comparing the latest metrics with those from 2024 underscores the immense scale of this growth. In 2024, Kandahar’s fresh and dried fruit exports totaled nearly 59,000 metric tons, valued at approximately $68 million USD. A side-by-side comparison reveals a multi-fold increase in both volume and financial value.
Economic experts emphasize that if transit friction and visa constraints are systematically resolved, agricultural exports could play an even more pivotal role in stabilizing the national economy and driving sustainable job creation.
