The ACCI said that after the launch of the new air corridor to India, already an additional 900 tons of fruit has been exported so far this year.

AVA- Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) said Saturday that since the establishment of the new air corridor between Afghanistan and India, almost 900 tons of fresh fruit has been exported to India.

According to the ACCI a total of 14 cargo flights from Kabul and Kandahar have transported the fruit in the past three months.

Officials at the ACCI said that in addition to the increase in exports through air cargo services, up to eight trucks take fruit to Iran, Pakistan, India and Central Asia each day.

“Really, the government's plans to increase the export of fresh fruit this year has worked well and the addition of the air corridor was not only important to us but it was a good step for farmers" who earned a fair price this year, said ACCI Deputy Head Khan Jan Alkozai.

Officials at the ACCI said that due to the increase in exports of fresh fruit and vegetables, the price has doubled in domestic and foreign markets.

In recent years, grape farmers earned very little as they were only able to sell their produce through roadside vendors. Now however, many are packaging their produce and selling to India.

“Now when we speak to the farmers they will not sell just 140kg or 150kg of grapes, they say that if we want grapes then we must buy all the grapes otherwise they will be exported to India,” said Farhad a fresh fruit vendor.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MoCI) said that more fruit and vegetables will be exported in the next three months. 

They say that the demand for fresh fruit and vegetables from India and Pakistan is rising, therefore, efforts are being made to increase the exportation of produce to these countries.

“We are trying to pave the way to deliver fresh fruit to their markets, and thereby improve the economic situation of farmers in the country,” MoCI spokesman Musafir Qoqandi said.

However, officials at the ACCI said that this year 145,000 tons of fresh fruit has been exported in total by road.