A private Afghan company has initiated the first export of Kandahar pomegranates to Russia through the Torghundi border crossing in Herat province.
According to the Kandahar Chamber of Commerce and Investment, the initial shipment consists of 22 tons of pomegranates worth $24,000, transported via Turkmenistan. The move comes as Afghanistan seeks to diversify its trade routes and maintain access to international markets after the closure of crossings with Pakistan.
"All trade routes with Pakistan are currently closed, causing major losses for fruit traders. Hundreds of trucks carrying pomegranates, grapes, and tomatoes are stranded, and much of the produce has spoiled," said Abdul Ahad Siddiqi, head of the Kandahar Chamber, urging both governments to reopen the crossings.
The company Kanda Fruit, which arranged the shipment, considers this the start of a larger export plan to Russia, with a total of up to 250 tons expected by the end of the harvest.
Traders note that while the closure of Pakistan routes caused short-term losses, it has also motivated Afghan exporters to explore alternatives through Iran, Turkmenistan, and Central Asia.
Kandahar, famous for producing some of the world's best pomegranates, expects a harvest exceeding 270,000 tons this year. However, farmers fear significant losses due to ongoing border disruptions and limited cold-storage capacity.
Source: www.ariananews.af
