Afghanistan’s Trade with Central Asia Set to Increase in 2025

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce has announced that trade levels between Afghanistan and the five Central Asian countries increased in 2025 compared to the previous year. According to Akhundzada Abdulsalam Jawad, Afghanistan imported over two billion dollars worth of goods from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan in 2025, while exporting 216 million dollars in exchange to these countries.

These figures indicate that Afghanistan’s trade balance with these nations remains heavily skewed in favor of imports, a situation that could increase the country’s economic dependency in the long run. However, Taliban officials regard the growth in trade levels as progress.

Several economic experts and traders say that expanding trade relations with Central Asia could create new opportunities for domestic producers and open new markets for Afghan goods. They emphasize that effective utilization of these opportunities requires clear planning, practical support for the private sector, and reduction of export barriers.

In recent months, amid a halt in trade between Afghanistan and Pakistan, many Afghan traders have turned to Central Asian markets. According to them, the establishment of alternative trade routes has partly allowed them to find new partners and markets for exports, although economic actors call for sustainable policies and more facilitation from the Taliban administration to strengthen exports.