Ghazni exports 13,000 metric tons of dried fruits despite transit obstacles

Ghazni province has exported 13,000 metric tons of dried fruits this year despite growing transit challenges.

Officials from the provincial Department of Industry and Commerce said the shipments include almonds, raisins, and dried plums.

The products were exported to Central Asia, several Arab and European countries, as well as China, India, and Iran.

"These dried fruits include almonds, raisins, and dried plums," said Ahmad Shah Lali, Director of Export Development at the Ghazni Department of Industry and Commerce, according to TOLOnews.

He said that the exports were sent to Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Arab countries, and Europe.

Despite these figures, traders say that ongoing transit problems are limiting the province’s export potential.

Call for alternative transit routes

Local traders say that transporting goods to international markets has become increasingly difficult in recent months.

They cite the closure of the Torkham border crossing as a major obstacle to timely and affordable shipments.

Traders are urging the government to establish alternative transit routes and provide necessary logistical facilities.

They believe improved transit access would significantly increase export volumes from the province.

High transportation and customs costs have sharply reduced their overall profits, they said.

The government "should provide facilities for traders through alternative routes. Transportation costs and customs duties should be reduced so that we can make some profit," TOLOnews quoted Muhammad Hashem, a trader in Ghazni, as saying

Currently, traders export goods to Tajikistan, Iran, and India, and from there they reach global markets, but the costs are very high, he said.

"We ask the government to reduce transportation costs. At the price we previously exported to Pakistan, efforts should be made to allow exports to other countries at similar rates," another trader Rohullah said.

Need for standard packaging

In addition to transit issues, traders highlighted the lack of proper processing and standard packaging facilities.

Inadequate packaging prevents their products from competing effectively in international markets, they claimed.

"Our packaging is not standard. We ask the government to provide facilities for processing and packaging so that our trade can expand," said Abdul Sattar, another trader in Ghazni, according to TOLOnews.

Afghan traders believe that improved processing and packaging infrastructure would help expand exports several times over.

They argue that better facilities would strengthen Ghazni’s position in regional and global markets.

Meanwhile, officials from the Ghazni Department of Industry and Commerce said the government is working toward a fundamental solution.

Necessary facilities for processing and standard packaging of dried and fresh fruits will be provided in the province, officials said.