Afghanistan has shipped its first consignment of apples and pomegranates to the Russian market, The Times of India reported.
This inaugural shipment of Afghan fruits to Russia signals Kabul's readiness to expand bilateral trade and export additional goods—including spices, carpets, and other products—to the Russian market.
According to the report, Afghanistan is also seeking to increase trade with Iran, India, and Central Asian countries following a sharp decline in bilateral trade with Pakistan. The drop resulted from the closure of their shared border after intense armed clashes in October. Last month, Kabul increased exports to Iran and Turkmenistan by 60–70%, compensating for the near-total halt in trade with Pakistan, which had accounted for 45% of Afghanistan's total foreign trade in 2024—primarily perishable fruits and vegetables.
In May, Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, Minister of Industry and Trade in the Taliban-formed government, stated that "Russia is one of Afghanistan's most important trading partners," noting that the country can supply Russia with fruits, spices, and carpets as part of mutual trade. The trade minister added that Afghanistan aims to further increase trade turnover with Russia.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: engin akyurt\Unsplash
Based on materials from TASS