Afghanistan to Resume Exports to Chinese, Indian Markets

Afghan pine nuts exporters on Tuesday said they plan to resume their exports to the Chinese markets through air corridor starting on Tuesday with exporting over 110 tons (metric) of pine nuts to Chinese markets.
Meanwhile, officials from the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) have said that the export of other products will be resumed soon through air corridor to the Indian markets.
“Our exports are not limited only to pine nuts and the Chinese markets, exports have also started for rest of the countries, this week, we will have three to four flights to India, we will export dry fruits and hing (Asafoetid) to the Indian markets,” said Sayed Zaman Hashemi, the head of ACCI.
96 tons of hing will be exported to India in the first phase.
The exports of pine nuts to China halted two months ago over the spread of coronavirus in that country.
“Trader made a lot of preparations for exports, they had bought huge amounts of pine nuts, but they did not benefit from the harvest,” said Zarim Khan, a member of Pine Nuts Exporters Union.
“Pine nut traders have suffered major losses over the past two months because the pine nuts stored by the traders have lost weight,” said Sher Ali Zadran, a pine nuts exporter.
In February, farmers and factory owners had said they were waiting for more than 100 tons (metric) of pine nuts to be exported to China.
The Chamber of Commerce and Investments at the time admitted that flights to China were suspended due to the spread of the coronavirus.
According to companies exporting pine nuts, one kilogram of pine nuts in a Chinese market will sell for up to 2,800 afghanis, and each kilogram of cleaned pine nuts in these markets can earn up 7,000 Afghanis.
The pine nut export season starts every year in September and lasts for up to three months, but this year, due to delays in exports to China, bulk pine nuts that were prepared to be exported to China have remained in warehouses.
Land routes are still closed for Afghan exports.
This comes as the season of fresh fruits and vegetables get closer in Afghanistan.