A total of 118,000 tons of fresh fruit has been exported from Kandahar province this year, and more than $55 million earned from the exports, local officials said.
Exported fruits included watermelons, grapes, pomegranates, and figs among others.
According to officials from the Kandahar Chamber of Commerce, this year Kandahar’s waters were managed properly and natural pests were less, so the yield of fresh fruit in Kandahar increased.
“Although there was a drought this year, water was managed properly, the farms were irrigated in due time and there were no pests. Fruits were exported in a regular manner. Now there are some pomegranates and apples left,” said Abdul Baqi Bina, the deputy of the Kandahar Chamber of Commerce.
Fresh fruit exporters in Kandahar said that facilities have been provided in the export process, but greater efforts should be made to increase the country’s exports.
“Fortunately, the security conditions were very good this year. There was no problem at customs. If there was any problem, the head of customs would solve it,” said Haji Nani, head of the Kandahar Fresh Fruit Export Commission.
