Afghan Pomegranates Find New Global Markets, Generating Over $10.5 Million in Exports from Kandahar

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — Despite early trade disruptions, Afghanistan’s pomegranate exports from the southern province of Kandahar have demonstrated remarkable resilience this year, surpassing $10.5 million in value. Chamber of Commerce officials report that more than 23,000 tonnes of the prized fruit have reached international markets, signaling a promising shift towards trade diversification.

Engineer Abdul Baqi Bina, Deputy Head of the Kandahar Chamber of Commerce and Industries, provided the export figures, noting the total value reached 10.56 million US dollars. He confirmed that while Pakistan closed the key Spin Boldak–Chaman crossing shortly after the export season began, exporters successfully pivoted to a wider array of destinations.

“So far this year, nearly 23,000 tonnes of pomegranates have been exported from Kandahar,” Bina stated. “Before the closure, significant quantities were sent to Pakistan. Subsequently, we successfully redirected exports to India, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, the United Arab Emirates, Russia, and several other neighbouring and regional countries.”

This successful rerouting highlights a growing effort by Afghan traders to reduce dependency on traditional, often unstable, transit routes through Pakistan. Fresh fruit traders in Kandahar echoed this sentiment, criticizing Pakistan’s unpredictable trade policies.

“We trade based on international norms, but Pakistan frequently fails to respect these principles,” said exporter Abdul Samad. “They consistently create obstacles for our fruits, often closing border gates during our peak harvest season. It is ultimately better for us to develop alternative routes. Even a permanent closure would not cripple us, as we are cultivating new markets.”

Another trader, Mohammadullah, pointed to perceived duplicity: “When Afghan fruits ripen, Pakistan blocks the routes on various pretexts. Meanwhile, their own fruit and transit goods move through Afghanistan without hindrance. This inconsistency pushes us to seek more reliable partners.”

Market Dynamics and Domestic Growth

Despite the border challenges, Kandahar pomegranates are currently commanding strong prices in the market, with one man (approximately 4.5 kg) selling for 200 to 250 Afghanis. This price stability reflects sustained high demand for the variety known for its deep red color, sweetness, and nutritional value.

In a significant development for the domestic agricultural sector, Bina also reported that several pomegranate juice processing factories have recently been established within Afghanistan. This marks a crucial step towards adding value to the raw product, increasing domestic consumption, and insulating farmers from the volatility of fresh fruit export markets.

Looking Ahead: A Call for National Support and Global Expansion

Looking to the future, Bina expressed optimism. “We hope that in the coming years, Afghanistan will continue exporting pomegranates to an even wider range of markets beyond Pakistan, while our domestic processing capacity expands in parallel.”

He also issued a call to action for Afghan citizens, urging a shift in consumption patterns to support local growers. “I encourage our people to use Afghan pomegranates and other local fruits at wedding halls and ceremonies instead of imported fruits. This ensures the economic benefits circulate within our own country, reaching our hardworking farmers and related industries.”

The successful export season underscores the potential of Afghanistan’s high-value agricultural sector to contribute to economic stability. By navigating geopolitical trade obstacles, developing domestic industry, and appealing to both global and local consumers, Kandahar’s pomegranate sector is striving to build a more sustainable and prosperous future.

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