Afghanistan’s Animal Product Exports Nearly Sevenfold in First Quarter
Local officials in Herat say Afghanistan exported more than 1,280 metric tons of animal hides and intestines worth $1.123 million during the first three months of the current solar year, marking an almost sevenfold increase compared to the same period last year.
During the same period last year, only 168 metric tons of animal hides and intestines were exported to foreign markets.
The animal products were exported to Iran, the United States, India, Turkey, Austria, and Lebanon.
Mohammad Yousuf Amin, Executive Director of the Herat Chamber of Commerce and Investment, said: “Animal products are collected from provinces across the country. The hides and intestines are transported to Herat, where they undergo a simple processing and packaging procedure before being exported.”
Exporters say they are forced to sell the products at low prices because of the lack of necessary facilities inside the country.
Animal products exporter Bahadar Shah Ahmadi said: “Afghanistan itself could make use of these products instead of exporting them. We do not have proper storage facilities for animal hides, and as a result, some of them spoil. If the necessary facilities and leather processing factories were established, these products could be used inside the country.”
Another exporter, Basir Ahmad Ahmadian, said: “We do not have leather manufacturing factories in the country. If such factories existed, we could produce shoes, bags, and other leather goods from animal hides.”
Mohibullah, who prepares animal hides and intestines for export, said: “The hides arriving from slaughterhouses are first treated with salt, then dried, and finally prepared for loading and export.”
Animal hides and intestines are transported to Herat from different provinces of Afghanistan before being exported to international markets.
In previous years, Pakistan was the main destination for these animal products. However, following the closure of trade routes, exporters have found new international markets for these domestic products.
