Grape, fruit and vegetable farmers in Afghanistan are facing mounting losses as export routes to Pakistan and India remain disrupted, following the worsening trade crisis with Pakistan in October 2025 and the closure of key crossings. The disruptions have caused crops to pile up and some to spoil, forcing farmers to dry grapes and turn them into raisins to limit their losses.
Farmers’ returns decline
A farmer in Kandahar said he had been working in an orchard for 14 months and received a quarter of the profits, which were divided among 4 people, but that his final share was not enough to cover his family’s needs. He added that exporting the grapes to Pakistan could have generated around 1300 dollars, while the orchard could have brought in nearly 1500 dollars. The crop is currently worth no more than around 1385 dollars, which is divided among 4 people.
The farmer said the income did not cover the cost of flour, clothing and household expenses amid rising prices for basic goods. He said oil cost between 15 and 17 dollars, while tea and sugar prices had also risen. His family depended entirely on him, he said, adding that the rising cost of living had led him to consider leaving the country if he could not find a solution.
Drying grapes to limit losses
Large quantities of grapes spoiled this year, forcing farmers to dispose of them, while pomegranates remain on the trees amid fears they could meet the same fate if access to export markets is not restored. Farmers say the orchard owner is unable to provide financial assistance or loans after spending heavily on cultivation without making a profit.
Farmers have resorted to drying grapes and turning them into raisins, but they say the process does not generate sufficient returns. Every 10 kilograms of grapes produces only one kilogram of raisins, while 7 kilograms of raisins sell in the market for around 4 or 5 dollars. Good-quality raisins fetch around 10 dollars.
The burden is growing as winter approaches and orchards require pesticides, chemical fertilisers and other agricultural supplies after a year of work and spending. Farmers have called on the Afghan government to reopen export routes or establish alternative trade corridors to enable crops to be marketed outside the country.
Costly alternative routes
Export difficulties also extend to routes through Iran, which were used to transport Afghan raisins to India via the Strait of Hormuz. Goods bound for India are now taken to Kabul for air shipment, but high air-freight costs make this route inaccessible to most traders and exporters.
Traders said the market had been very good last year and that they had prepared their goods for export to Pakistan before the route was closed, forcing them to sell the products in the domestic market. Routes through Iran were open at the time but were later closed, further narrowing exporters’ options.
Farmers and traders called for trade arrangements and agreements with other countries, stressing the need to ensure that agricultural products from Kandahar and other parts of Afghanistan do not depend on just one or two markets. They believe government support for exporters and the opening of new foreign markets could reduce crop spoilage and mounting losses.
