With the trade crossings between Afghanistan and Pakistan remaining closed, coinciding with the fruit and vegetable export season, a number of traders in the country say they have suffered huge losses. Officials from the Chamber of Commerce and Investment have also announced that thousands of containers are being stopped on both sides of the border, causing traders to lose about $2 million daily.
Publish dateSaturday 15 November 2025 - 11:59
Story Code : 336364
Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - Kabul: Khanjan Alokozai, a member of the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce and Investment, said in an interview with AVA: “Afghanistan exports about $800 million to Pakistan annually and imports $1.5 billion, but imports and exports are currently suspended.”
He added: “About two thousand containers used to pass through the crossings between Pakistan and Afghanistan daily. With the halt of commercial goods trucks at the borders, the prices of many essential goods, including eggplant, pomegranates, and grapes, have increased in Pakistan, and on the other hand, these goods are being sold at cheap prices inside the country, which has severely affected traders.”
According to Alokozay, since the closure of trade crossings between the two countries, about $500 million has been lost to traders on both sides.
Rerouting Afghan Trade to Chabahar Port
Abdul Salam Javad Akhundzada, spokesman for the Afghan Ministry of Industry and Commerce, announced: “Trade volume with Iran has reached $1.6 billion in the past six months, surpassing the $1.1 billion trade with Pakistan.”
He added: “Iran has installed modern equipment and X-ray scanners and is offering Afghan shipments a 30 percent reduction in port tariffs, a 75 percent discount on warehousing costs, and a 55 percent discount on berthing costs.”
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce spokesman emphasized: “The Chabahar Port facilities will reduce delays and provide assurance that shipments will not be stopped when the borders are closed. According to the report, rerouting trade to Chabahar has now become an official Afghan policy.”
Trade Obstacles and Challenges
Abdul Sediq Joyandeh, an economic analyst, told Ava: “The main problems in trade with Pakistan are high tariffs and complicated customs procedures. Once these issues are resolved, Iran can become a suitable alternative to Pakistan.”
He added: “Due to sanctions and the lack of a common bank, money transfers are difficult and mainly carried out through traditional remittances, and both sides need to work to solve this problem. Lack of railways, inadequate roads, inadequate border terminals, economic instability and political restrictions, long licensing procedures, and lack of transparency are other obstacles to trade with Iran.”
Mutual Needs of Iran and Afghanistan
Joyanda stated: “Afghanistan needs Iran because it imports energy (oil, gas, and electricity), food, medicine, and industrial goods from this country. On the other hand, Iran is Afghanistan’s connection to the open waters through Chabahar Port, and the landlocked country of Afghanistan needs this port to develop trade.”
He continued: “Iran also needs Afghanistan because Afghanistan provides a suitable market for Iranian goods and mineral resources and precious stones for its industries. Also, by expanding economic relations, Iran can strengthen its regional influence.”
Trade Development Strategies
The economic analyst noted: "Apart from Chabahar, there are other ways to expand trade with Iran, including: completing the Khaf-Herat railway and developing roads to reduce transportation costs, establishing a joint bank or transparent financial system to facilitate money transfers, reducing tariffs and simplifying customs procedures, joint investment in mining, energy, agriculture and processing industries, establishing free trade zones at the borders and holding joint exhibitions, using the capacity of Chabahar Port for Afghan exports and imports."
He added: “About two thousand containers used to pass through the crossings between Pakistan and Afghanistan daily. With the halt of commercial goods trucks at the borders, the prices of many essential goods, including eggplant, pomegranates, and grapes, have increased in Pakistan, and on the other hand, these goods are being sold at cheap prices inside the country, which has severely affected traders.”
According to Alokozay, since the closure of trade crossings between the two countries, about $500 million has been lost to traders on both sides.
Rerouting Afghan Trade to Chabahar Port
Abdul Salam Javad Akhundzada, spokesman for the Afghan Ministry of Industry and Commerce, announced: “Trade volume with Iran has reached $1.6 billion in the past six months, surpassing the $1.1 billion trade with Pakistan.”
He added: “Iran has installed modern equipment and X-ray scanners and is offering Afghan shipments a 30 percent reduction in port tariffs, a 75 percent discount on warehousing costs, and a 55 percent discount on berthing costs.”
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce spokesman emphasized: “The Chabahar Port facilities will reduce delays and provide assurance that shipments will not be stopped when the borders are closed. According to the report, rerouting trade to Chabahar has now become an official Afghan policy.”
Trade Obstacles and Challenges
Abdul Sediq Joyandeh, an economic analyst, told Ava: “The main problems in trade with Pakistan are high tariffs and complicated customs procedures. Once these issues are resolved, Iran can become a suitable alternative to Pakistan.”
He added: “Due to sanctions and the lack of a common bank, money transfers are difficult and mainly carried out through traditional remittances, and both sides need to work to solve this problem. Lack of railways, inadequate roads, inadequate border terminals, economic instability and political restrictions, long licensing procedures, and lack of transparency are other obstacles to trade with Iran.”
Mutual Needs of Iran and Afghanistan
Joyanda stated: “Afghanistan needs Iran because it imports energy (oil, gas, and electricity), food, medicine, and industrial goods from this country. On the other hand, Iran is Afghanistan’s connection to the open waters through Chabahar Port, and the landlocked country of Afghanistan needs this port to develop trade.”
He continued: “Iran also needs Afghanistan because Afghanistan provides a suitable market for Iranian goods and mineral resources and precious stones for its industries. Also, by expanding economic relations, Iran can strengthen its regional influence.”
Trade Development Strategies
The economic analyst noted: "Apart from Chabahar, there are other ways to expand trade with Iran, including: completing the Khaf-Herat railway and developing roads to reduce transportation costs, establishing a joint bank or transparent financial system to facilitate money transfers, reducing tariffs and simplifying customs procedures, joint investment in mining, energy, agriculture and processing industries, establishing free trade zones at the borders and holding joint exhibitions, using the capacity of Chabahar Port for Afghan exports and imports."
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