KABUL, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Afghanistan has exported 500 tonnes of fruits and dry fruit to Central Asian countries via the Hairatan port in northern Balkh province for the first time, the provincial government office said in a statement late Wednesday.
According to the statement, the consignment, including 500 tonnes of apples, pomegranates, and dried berries worth 250,000 U.S. dollars, was shipped to Uzbekistan and other Central Asian nations through the Hairatan commercial corridor.
In early October, Afghanistan achieved another milestone by exporting fruits to Russia for the first time via Torghundi port in western Herat province.
Historically, Pakistan was the primary destination for Afghan fruits and dried fruits. However, recent border tensions have completely halted that trade flow.
In response, Afghan traders and authorities have significantly ramped up exports to northern neighbors, including Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, opening new avenues for the country's world-renowned horticultural produce. ■
