The Ministry of Industry and Commerce of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan says that during the first nine months of the current year, trade between Afghanistan and China reached $745 million, with Afghan exports to China totaling only $18 million.
According to Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad, spokesperson for the ministry, the majority of Afghanistan’s exports to China consist of black pine nuts, dried apricots, and precious and semi-precious stones.
Jawad added: “Of the total trade volume, $18 million accounts for exports and $727 million for imports. Our main exports to China are black pine nuts, dried apricots, precious and semi-precious stones, while imports include cotton textiles, solar panels, electronic equipment, and raw materials for manufacturing.”
However, some Afghan traders state that challenges in transit logistics and high shipping costs via air corridors have slowed down and reduced export volumes to China.
Mahbubullah Mohammadi, a trader, said: “Due to the lack of transit agreements, absence of a structured export strategy, and issues with air corridors, including high cargo costs and document processing our exports to Chinese markets have significantly declined.”
Meanwhile, Azarkhash Hafizi, former head of the Chamber of Commerce and Investment, emphasized: “We must work to establish direct trade routes with China. As the world’s second-largest economy and our neighbor, China needs Afghan goods. The more we produce competitively, the more we can sell.”
Currently, China is one of Afghanistan’s key trading partners in both imports and exports. Officials at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce say they are working to increase exports of agricultural and mineral products to China.
