Kandahar Pomegranate Exports Surge by 32 Percent

The Kandahar Directorate of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock has announced that more than 21,000 tonnes of pomegranates have been exported from the province to international markets this year—a 32 percent increase compared to last year.

Mohammad Hanif Haqmal, spokesperson for the directorate, stated that only 7,000 tonnes were exported last year. According to him, this year’s increase in exports was achieved through collaboration between the provincial agriculture department, the Chamber of Commerce and Investment, and with financial support from Afghan national traders.

The main destinations for these exports were Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Russia, and Pakistan. The agriculture directorate’s spokesperson emphasized that this growth, despite the challenges of Taliban administration, still requires greater support from commercial institutions and the private sector.

Experts note that although the Taliban administration touts these figures as a success, it has failed to provide essential infrastructure, standardized packaging, international marketing, and streamlined customs processes. These shortcomings have hindered the sustainable growth of Afghanistan’s agricultural sector and have limited broader economic opportunities.