In the first nine months of the current year, approximately $257 million worth of dried fruits has been exported from Afghanistan.

According to Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad, spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, raisins, figs, pistachio kernels, almonds, and pine nuts are among the dried fruits exported to India, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, China, and Russia. 

Jawad said, "Afghanistan’s dried fruit exports in the past nine months have reached countries including India, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Italy, and others, with a total volume of 96,300 tons valued at around $257 million."

Meanwhile, some dried fruit traders state that increasing air cargo flights is necessary to further boost exports.

Mohammad Qasim Omarkhail, a trader, said: "We request that the Islamic Emirate provide us with land and support for the construction of packaging and processing facilities." 

Another trader, Nisar Ahmad, said: "One of our main challenges is obtaining visas. Around 90% of Afghanistan’s dried fruit exports go to India, but for the past three years, India has not issued visas to Afghans."

Data from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce indicates that most dried fruit exports have gone to countries such as India, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, and Uzbekistan.