In Ghazni province, Afghanistan, orchard owners and investors highlight challenges in exporting fresh fruits due to the absence of standard processing centers and cold storage facilities, compounded by high customs tariffs. This lack of infrastructure results in Afghanistan's horticultural products being processed in Pakistan and subsequently exported under Pakistan's name.
Ghiasuddin, a trader in Ghazni, stated, "The products we currently produce are non-standard, and no country accepts them. But if we can properly process and clean them, there's potential for export to European countries. Right now, Afghan products are first sent to Pakistan, processed there, and then exported under Pakistan's name because we lack processing centers."
Azizurrahman Mirzayi, another trader, noted, "Neither the previous government nor the current one has taken any steps toward processing these products. There is also no proper facility for storing them, and customs tariffs are very high."
Haji Malang, an orchard owner, called on the Islamic Emirate to support orchard owners and farmers. Local officials indicate efforts to enhance the quality of horticultural products and establish necessary infrastructure. Mohammad Zakaria Hotak, spokesperson for the Ghazni Department of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, mentioned, "The agriculture department is working to improve the quality of orchard produce so that products can be developed with demand in foreign markets."
Sayed Munir Hashemi from the Ghazni Department of Industry and Trade added, "Once the land allocation process is complete, we will soon see the construction of cold storage facilities. The Industry and Trade Department is also working to establish fresh and dried fruit processing centers in several parts of Ghazni city."
Local officials report a 15% increase in fresh fruit production in Ghazni for 2024, with over one million tons of fruit harvested.
Source: Tolo News