Kabul, Oct 25 : The producers of pine nuts in Afghanistan, one of the major countries producing these expensive nuts, are facing problems in exporting the nuts under the new Taliban government despite seeing higher yield this year.
The pine nuts producers union of Afghanistan has said that although this year the production of pine nuts has increased in the country, there is still no suitable market available. They said that due to the lack of exports through official channels these nuts are currently being smuggled, to some extent, into Pakistan.
“If our export routes were open, the price of pine nuts would be much higher. We are optimistic that this problem will be resolved as soon as possible and that our export plans will not be disappointed,” said Yahya Zadran, head of the producers’ union.
While in recent years a large amount of pine nuts were transported to China through air corridors, officials of the union have said that these routes are closed this year. This will increase the level of smuggling of the product into Pakistan, the harvesters said.
Pine nut exporters have urged the Islamic Emirate to create markets for their produce, Tolo News reported.
“Currently, Pakistan benefits the most from the pine nuts. We produce and harvest them, but Pakistan is gaining the profit. The government should do something about it,” said Sado Khan, a pine nut exporter.
“The problem of the pine nut market should be solved. China’s market is so important for Afghanistan’s pine nuts. Air corridors should be opened immediately,” said Mahbobullah Mohammadi, a merchant.
Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock said that efforts are underway to bring improvements in the export of pine nuts.
Currently, 1 kg pine nuts costs $13 (1,100 Afn), while in the Chinese markets its price increases two to three times. According to estimates, Afghanistan’s annual pine nut production is worth about $500 million.(UNI)