In the southern Afghan province of Kandahar, grape growers are facing a harsh new reality. After months of fighting along the Afghanistan‑Pakistan border, the crossing points have been closed, cutting off the primary market for fresh fruit. With fresh grapes no longer able to reach Pakistan, producers have shifted to drying the fruit and selling it as raisins, a product that commands a lower price.
Local farmers feel the impact
Sakhi Jan, who runs a small orchard in Zhari district, says his household of ten now survives on the reduced income from raisins. Seven kilograms of raisins that once fetched 1,000‑1,200 afghanis (about $13‑$16) now sell for only 400‑450 afghanis ($5‑$6). “We are grateful, but things aren’t like they used to be; the struggle is much harder now,” Jan told reporters.
Other growers report similar hardship. Qudratullah Popal, who helped pick grapes at a large orchard that employed about 1,500 workers last year, says the workforce has shrunk to roughly 15 this season. “When routes are blocked and trade halts, everyone’s livelihood is paralyzed,” he explained.
Export numbers plunge
According to Abdul Baqi Bina, deputy director of the Kandahar Chamber of Commerce and Investment, the border closure has devastated Afghanistan’s fruit export sector. In 2025, five southern provinces shipped 44,225 tons of grapes—worth $13.8 million—almost all to Pakistan. This year, only 256 tons have left the country, valued at about $100,000.
Haji Abdul Hai, a veteran grape exporter, described the situation as unprecedented. “In my 50 years of life, I have never seen these roads closed to the extent they are now,” he said, noting that previous closures were brief and usually left at least one crossing open.
Calls for reopening
Farmers and trade officials are urging both the Afghan government and Pakistan to reopen the border crossings. Jan emphasized that restoring trade routes is essential for the region’s families, many of whom already face poverty and malnutrition.
“We urge both our government and Pakistan to open these routes and reach an agreement,” Jan said. “The current situation is causing great hardship.”
Broader implications
The loss of export revenue not only hurts individual growers but also threatens the broader agricultural economy of southern Afghanistan. With limited alternatives for market access, many producers may be forced to abandon grape cultivation altogether, further destabilizing a sector that has long been a source of livelihood for thousands.
Until a diplomatic solution is found, the farmers of Kandahar will continue to dry their grapes, hoping that the modest income from raisins can sustain their families through the ongoing trade impasse.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
