Helmand Seeks to Boost Cotton Exports Through Talks with Iran

Officials from the Department of Trade and Investment in Helmand province say they have initiated talks with their Iranian counterparts to create better sales opportunities for the region’s cotton. According to these officials, Helmand—one of Afghanistan’s largest cotton-producing provinces—has significant potential for supplying raw materials to domestic industries and for export.

Based on data from Helmand’s trade department, dozens of factories in the province are currently producing oil, soap, cottonseed meal, and other cotton-based products. Agriculture officials in the province also confirm that, in coordination with the private sector, measures have been taken to facilitate the export of cotton produced in the region.

According to official figures from the agriculture department, more than 48,900 hectares of land in Helmand were planted with cotton this year, resulting in a total production of over 183,000 metric tons. Despite being one of the highest production levels in recent years, many farmers and traders in Helmand report that a lack of effective external markets has driven down the price of their products.

Local experts warn that unless the Taliban administration enables farmers to access international markets, some producers may abandon cotton cultivation altogether, leading to a deeper stagnation in the province’s agricultural sector. This concern comes amid Helmand’s strategic importance to Afghanistan’s agricultural output, where any drop in market access could directly impact the region’s economic wellbeing.