Increased Customs Tariffs Halt Afghanistan’s Fruit Exports to Pakistan
Kabul: The Afghanistan-Pakistan Joint Chamber of Commerce has announced that fresh fruit exports to Pakistan have been halted for the past two weeks due to an increase in customs tariffs imposed by Pakistan.
Khanjan Alokozay, the head of the chamber, emphasized the need to strengthen alternative routes to boost the export volume of fresh fruits and vegetables to countries such as India, Bangladesh, and Russia.
Alokozay stated: “We must activate the air corridor in any possible way so that some of our fruits and vegetables with short seasons, like peaches, plums, cherries, and others, can be exported in time.”
Occasionally, the closure of crossings and increased customs tariffs reduce the export flow to Pakistan.
It has been nearly two weeks since Pakistan raised customs tariffs on fresh fruits and vegetables, during which traders have ceased exports to Pakistan.
Some traders argue that the high tariffs make fresh fruit exports too costly for them and call on the Islamic Emirate to address this issue.
Trader Farooq Ahmadi said: “Every year, when Afghanistan’s export season approaches, Pakistan creates this problem by raising taxes. Unfortunately, they have increased the tax sixfold this time.”
Trader Mashooq Habibi added: “In previous years, we paid 15,000 Pakistani rupees in taxes per ton, but now we pay 60,000 rupees per ton. Our exports have significantly decreased compared to last year.”
Meanwhile, the Islamic Emirate assures that it will address the challenges faced by the country’s traders with Pakistan through negotiations.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, stated: “We have discussed this issue with Pakistan, highlighting that Afghan traders, especially during the fruit transport season, face numerous challenges. They must reduce tariffs and resolve other existing problems.”
According to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, in the first five months of the current year, trade between Afghanistan and Pakistan amounted to $937 million, with Afghanistan’s exports to Pakistan totaling $294 million, marking a 32% decrease compared to the same period last year.
