Kandahar: Abjosh raisin exports down by 25pc

KANDAHAR CITY (Pajhwok): Abjosh raisin exports from southern Kandahar province have declined by 25 percent this year due to a fall in the seedless grape yield, traders and farmers say.

Abjosh — also known as golden raisins — are one a high-quality dried fruit made of quality grapes and have great taste and demand.

Abdul Ahad Sediqi, head of the Kandahar Dried Fruit Merchants Union, told Pajhwok Afghan News drought and floods had affected grape yield in Kandahar this year. Its production slumped by almost 50 percent.

As a result of natural disasters, the export of grapes and raisins — the Abjosh variety included — also decreased this year, Sediqi said.

Last year, he recalled, 15,000 tonnes of Abjosh raisins worth $53 million were exported to Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and India. But this year, around 10,000 tonnes of Abjosh raisins have been exported so far.

“This year, we may have up to 10,000 tonnes of Abjosh raisin exports because there has been a drop in grape production. Last year, we saw enough raisin exports,” he commented.

Fazal Ahmad, a farmer from Panjwai district, confirmed to Pajhwok orchards that yielded up to 700 kilograms of grapes in the past have now produced 140 kilograms this season.

“Last year, I harvested up to 320 kilograms of Abjosh from my orchard but this time around, I have collected 140 kilograms of Abjosh,” he explained.

Abdul Hakeem, head of an Abjosh-processing factory, said tens of people were working at the plant.

“We separate Abjosh raisins and then pack them in cartons for export purposes. Tens of employees are working with us here,” he said.

Kandahar Chamber of Commerce head Mohammad Sediq Mohammad said currently there was no issue related to the export of commodities from the province. The fruit tariff hike problem had been resolved, he claimed.

“We have no export-related issue and the tariff problem created by Pakistan has been resolved with the mediation of provincial and central authorities. Exports are moving smoothly,” he insisted.

Currently, one kilograms of Abjosh is available for 800 afs in Kandahar markets. But traders believe the rate could further increase if a proper international market is explored.

nh/mud

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