Apple imports from Afghanistan and Iran into India are steady at the moment, as the period between November and December marks the peak season of both sources, says Syed Salehus Sabah of Al Fatah Impex. "Availability of Afghan and Iranian apples is good despite some changes; Afghan apples are now coming through Iranian sea ports like Chabahar and Bandar Abbas as overland trade routes between Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India continue to stay closed, but supply remains uninterrupted."
Al Fatah Impex sources apples mainly from Turkey, Afghanistan, and Iran, and also operates an apple farm in Istanbul, producing around 450 tonnes annually. Sabah adds that their imports mainly focus on popular varieties like Gala and Red Delicious: "This season, we noted a 40% decline in Turkish Red apple imports and expect similar possibilities in 2026."
© Al Fatah Impex
Sabah adds, "Gala supplies will taper from Iran and Afghanistan, but we expect Red Delicious and other varieties to increase, ensuring market demands are met. Prices have varied by USD 1.1 to USD 2.25 due to inflation, demand, and availability in these origins, but these fluctuations have not significantly impacted business operations. At present, pricing is roughly around USD 9.6 for Afghan apples and USD 13.5 for Iranian apples per 10 kgs in the wholesale market."
The closure of Afghanistan's overland trade routes via Pakistan's borders and India's Wagah border entry has made Mumbai the main entry point for Afghan apples this season. "This change opens up new business avenues, especially to serve southern Indian markets that were previously less accessible for Afghan apples. Prices remain competitive and generally lower than Iranian apples, which helps maintain strong demand despite longer transit times and higher logistics costs," Sabah explains.
© Al Fatah Impex
According to him, Iran exported over 204,000 tons of apples between March and September 2025, with India accounting for over 60% of Iran's apple exports. "Iranian shipments typically range from 18 to 85 metric tons per consignment, mainly to Mumbai and other major ports." Sabah acknowledges that domestic apples from Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh still hold strong value and strong consumer demand, but their inconsistent quality still leaves room for imported apples to complement the domestic supply.
Al Fatah Impex imports approximately 10 to 12 containers during peak months. Looking ahead, Sabah shares, "The immediate focus is on clearing shipments from Iran and Afghanistan until December before switching to Turkish supplies from January."
For more information:
Syed Salehus Sabah
Al Fatah Impex
Email: [email protected]
