Afghanistan records trade surge with central Asian countries in 2025

KABUL (Pajhwok): Afghanistan’s trade volume with Central Asian countries recorded a significant increase in 2025 compared to the previous year, with imports rising by 43 percent and exports by 77 percent, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) said on Tuesday.

In a statement, the ministry said recent trade data shows substantial growth in exchanges with Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan.

It said imports from these countries rose from 1.679 billion US dollars in 2024 to $2.399 billion in 2025, marking an approximate 43 percent increase within a year.

It added exports also increased from $122 million to $216 million during the period, showing a 77 percent rise.

The statement noted: “Although Afghanistan has traditionally been an import-dependent country, last year it achieved a 77 percent increase in exports. If this trend continues, Afghanistan could achieve trade balance in the near future, particularly since most imports are electricity, gas and fuel. Efforts are also ongoing to reduce Afghanistan’s energy dependency.”

The ministry said that Afghan exports remain largely limited to agricultural products and basic commodities. With the development of manufacturing, standardised packaging and attention to export infrastructure, this imbalance could be effectively addressed.

The growth in trade was positive step and with active industrial policies, domestic production investment and regional transit expansion, Afghanistan could achieve a sustainable trade balance, the statement concluded.

hz/kk