Afghanistan has dispatched a fresh fruit and agricultural consignment to Uzbekistan and other Central Asian destinations via the Hairatan port in Balkh province. The shipment includes apples from Maidan Wardak, pomegranates from Kandahar, and dried mulberries from northern provinces. The total value is reported at more than US$250,000.
Haroun Al-Rashid Qazi, deputy head of the Balkh Chamber of Commerce, said the export activity is part of an agreement between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. He noted that the corridor is expected to develop into a broader route connecting Central Asia with Asian and European markets.
Officials from the Taliban administration in Balkh, including Noorulhadi Abu Idris, stated that the Hairatan port operates on a 24-hour basis and provides infrastructure to support year-round exports. They said the facility is positioned to handle additional agricultural flows.
Producers and traders in the region continue to monitor challenges linked to administrative systems. Observers report concerns over transparent structures, state inefficiencies, and centralized decision-making. According to local accounts, these issues affect trader confidence, and it remains uncertain whether expanded export activity will influence farmer livelihoods at scale.
Future movements through Hairatan and Aqina ports are expected to include fresh meat, vegetables, and other agricultural products. Independent groups have called for more oversight to ensure transparency in managing export operations.
Source: AtlasPress
