Fresh fruit importers in Herat say that due to the increase in customs duties, the market for fresh fruit sales has become sluggish.

Compared to last year, the prices of imported fresh fruits have doubled this year.

Several importers say that the rise in fresh fruit prices this year is due to high customs duties.

Faridoon, a fresh fruit importer, says: "Customs duties are high, and fruit prices are rising. If customs duties are reduced, the price of fresh fruits will also decrease."

Mohammad, another fresh fruit importer, adds: "The reason for the increase in the price of imported fruits is the rise in customs duties. The customs duties are extremely high and burdensome and no one can afford to import fruit."

The fresh fruit season has not yet arrived in the country, and nearly all of the fruit is being imported from abroad.

The Herat Fruit Sellers Association said that the high customs duties are detrimental to the people, and this duty should only be imposed when the country's fruit season begins.

Abdul Ahad Rahmani, the head of the Herat Fruit Sellers Association, says: "Tangerine and apples are imported from Iran. Other vegetables and fresh fruits come to Afghanistan through the UAE from various countries. Fruits come from different parts of the world, and even Herat receives fruits from Chile, USA, and European countries."

Meanwhile, some fruit sellers say they are facing severe economic hardships and cannot afford to buy fresh fruit due to the high costs.

Bilal, a fruit seller, comments: "Last year, one kilogram of fresh tangerine cost 30 afghani, but this year the price is between 100 and 130 afghani. The economic situation of the people is such that they cannot come and buy fruit."

The price of imported fruits rises at a time when, every year, during the fruit season in the country, the prices of fruits significantly drop.

According to farmers, due to the lack of exports and low prices, they incur losses instead of profits every year.