Almond prices down by 20pc, exports 40pc, say Balkh traders

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): Almond yield has increased in northern Balkh province compared to last year’s harvest, but the dried fruit prices and its export to foreign countries decreased by 20 percent and 40 percent respectively, traders say.

The traders say almonds produced in Balkh province were exported to several countries in the past, but now it is exported only to Pakistan and from there to other nations.

Munir Amiri, an almond trader, told Pajhwok Afghan News they would export almonds to Pakistan as well as India two years ago, but the exports to India had been stopped due to coronavirus pandemic.

Without providing any figures, the trader said almond yield was good this year. However, he said they sold the dried fruit at a low rate domestically in absence of foreign market.

Sayed Mohammad Kazim, another trader, held similar views and said they could not preserve almonds for more than a year due to lack of cold storages.

Last year, Kazim sold seven kilograms of almond for 2,800 afghanis while this year the same quantity was sold for 2,200 afghanis or even lower.

Haji Farooq, another trader, said this year they exported almonds to Pakistan only and from there Pakistani traders exported Afghan almonds to other countries as Pakistani product. “As the Pakistani currency has depreciated, the price of almonds has also decreased this year.”

The traders urged the government to find local and foreign market for almonds.

Ahmad Javed Haqju, dry fruit processors’ union head in Balkh, confirmed to Pajhwok the decrease in the price and export of almonds this year.

Last year, he said, 280 tons of almonds were exported compared to 170 tons this year.  The price of seven kilos of almonds hovered between 2,800 afghanis and 3,200 afghanis last year and this year 1,800afs and 2200afs.

Noorul Hadi Abu Idrees, the deputy governor of Balkh, told Pajhwok the government was making efforts to find market for local products and assist traders in obtaining visas. “We are endeavoring to provide every facility to traders to export their products abroad.”

Besides almonds, cotton, grapes and raisins are main products of Balkh province.

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