Kabul Fruit, Vegetable Prices Rise With Torkham Closure

Shopkeepers in Kabul reported that the closure of the Torkham crossing has led to increased prices of fruits and vegetables in the capital’s markets. The cost of imported fruits and vegetables from Pakistan has risen by 100 to 120 afghani in each 7 kilos.

Since Afghanistan imports most of its needed fruits and vegetables from neighboring countries, particularly Pakistan, during the winter season, the closure of the Torkham crossing for more than a week has negatively impacted the prices of fresh fruit and vegetables in the country’s markets.

Safaauddin, a shopkeeper in Kabul, said about the prices: “The price of 7 kilos of tomatoes, cucumbers, and pumpkins has increased by 100 to 120 afghani.”

“Currently, prices are high, and people are not buying much fruit because Torkham is closed. Fruit and vegetables are coming through alternative routes, making them expensive. When they arrived through Torkham, costs were lower,” Mohammad Gheyas, another shopkeeper, told.

The price increase has negatively affected these shopkeepers’ businesses.

Mohammad Nasir, a Kabul resident, said: “7 kilos of small pumpkins now costs 180 afghani, 7 kilos of tomatoes is between 450 and 500 afghani, and 7 kilos of cucumbers is 500 afghani. People’s economic situation is weak, and they cannot afford it.”

Meanwhile, some fresh fruit and vegetable importers, pointing to the closure of the Torkham crossing, say that this issue has also created significant challenges for them. These traders urge high-level discussions between both sides to reopen the Torkham crossing.

“Our trucks were stuck there, and we were forced to send them back to Pakistan. Some goods were sold at a low price, and others were stored in cold storage. We received information tonight that the route would open, but unfortunately, fighting broke out, and the route remained closed,” Mohammad Yamin Hamidi, a trader, told .

Torkham is one of the key trade crossings between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which was closed by Pakistan on February 24, after Islamic Emirate forces started constructing facilities on the Afghan side of the hypothetical Durand Line.