Key facts
- Afghan grape farmers are converting their harvest into raisins due to border closures with Pakistan.
- The conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan has led to border closures, disrupting trade.
- Increased domestic supply of grapes has caused prices to plummet.
- Raisin prices have also seen a significant drop.
- Exports of grapes from southern Afghan provinces have drastically decreased compared to the previous year.
Afghan grape producers in Kandahar province are facing significant economic hardship due to border closures with Pakistan, their primary export market. Sporadic fighting between the two countries has led to prolonged border shutdowns, preventing the export of fresh grapes. This has resulted in a surplus of grapes in the domestic market, causing prices to plummet. To cope, many farmers are drying their grapes to produce raisins, but even the price of raisins has fallen sharply. Sakhi Jan, an orchard owner, described the immense struggle to feed his household with the reduced income. Abdul Baqi Bina of the Kandahar Chamber of Commerce and Investment highlighted the severe blow to fruit exports, including grapes and pomegranates. In 2025, five southern Afghan provinces exported over 44,000 tons of grapes, with almost all destined for Pakistan. This year, exports have been drastically reduced to just 256 tons. Grape exporter Haji Abdul Hai noted unprecedented difficulties with the current border closures, which are longer and more severe than in the past. The impact on labor is also significant, with one orchard's workforce shrinking from 1,500 workers last year to around 15 this year.