Herat’s Pistachio Exports Reach Nearly $25 Million This Year
The Herat Chamber of Commerce and Investment says that in the current solar year, nearly $25 million worth of pistachios have been exported abroad.
According to officials at the chamber, pistachio exports from Herat this year have increased by 21% compared to last year.
Besides pistachios, other types of dried fruits have also been exported from the province this year.
Mohammad Yousuf Amin, Executive Director of the Herat Chamber of Commerce and Investment, told : “Pistachios are among the fruits exported to European markets. In 1403, pistachio exports reached $24.676 million. This figure represents a 21% increase compared to 1402.”
Meanwhile, the Herat Chamber of Agriculture and Livestock states that pistachio production in the province has significantly increased this year. The chamber added that more than 7,000 tons of pistachios have been harvested in Herat this year.
This amount of pistachios has been collected from rainfed pistachio forests and cultivated orchards.
Bashir Ahmad Bahaduri, Head of the Herat Chamber of Agriculture and Livestock, told : “There are around 12,000 hectares of rainfed pistachio forests in Herat province, from which more than 5,000 tons of pistachios have been harvested this year.”
The premature harvesting of rainfed pistachios in Herat and neighboring provinces has led to a decline in the quality of Afghanistan’s pistachios.
According to experts, if rainfed pistachios are harvested properly and at the right time, it will increase both production and exports.
Mohammad Dawood Noorzai, an economic affairs analyst, stated: “The Islamic Emirate should take measures through the provincial agriculture departments to prevent premature harvesting of pistachios. This initiative would help increase Afghanistan’s pistachio yields.”
According to statistics, more than 90% of Afghanistan’s pistachios come from rainfed forests in Herat, Badghis, and some northern provinces. However, locals often harvest the pistachios prematurely, which lowers their quality.
