Afghan farmers turn their grapes into raisins after border closures slash fruit exports to Pakistan

Grape season is in full swing in Afghanistan's lush Kandahar province, but the bountiful harvest offers little consolation to farmers and workers. The region's grape growers are facing a dire situation, as fighting between Afghanistan and Pakistan has effectively blocked their primary export market. Border closures have severed a crucial trade route, leaving Afghan producers unable to access their usual buyers in Pakistan.

The ongoing conflict has led to sporadic skirmishes along the long, mountainous border, resulting in hundreds of casualties. Islamabad accuses the Taliban government of harboring militants, a claim denied by Kabul. As a result, grape producers have been forced to adapt to a domestic market, where increased supply has driven prices down significantly.

Sakhi Jan, a grape orchard owner, explains that what used to fetch 1,000-1,200 Afghanis for seven kilograms of raisins (approximately $13-16) now sells for just 400-450 Afghanis ($5-6). In a country where poverty is rampant and malnutrition is a growing concern, such income losses can be devastating.

The deputy director of the Kandahar Chamber of Commerce and Investment, Abdul Baqi Bina, notes that the border closures have dealt a severe blow to Afghanistan's fruit exports, not just grapes but also pomegranates. In 2025, southern Afghan provinces exported 44,225 tons of grapes, worth $13.8 million, with nearly all of it heading to Pakistan. So far this year, only 256 tons have been exported, generating $100,000 in revenue.

For grape exporter Haji Abdul Hai, the border closures have been catastrophic. He recalls that his orchard once employed 1,500 workers during good harvests, but now those numbers have plummeted to just 15. The issue, he says, is that the grapes cannot be exported to other countries as they already have an abundance of grapes in domestic markets. The lack of trade flow has paralyzed livelihoods, affecting traders, laborers, and orchard owners alike.