Afghanistan's Pine Nut Exports Reach $15 Million in 2025, Up 25 Percent

Pine nuts are one of Afghanistan's key export products, primarily produced in mountainous and arid regions, especially in the east and southeast.

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce reported that pine nut exports in 2025 reached $15 million, marking a 25 percent increase from the previous year. Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad, spokesperson for the ministry, stated that 1,031 tons of Afghanistan's black pine nuts were exported to China, India, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Germany, Kuwait, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and other countries, valued at over $15 million.

The Afghanistan Dried Fruits Union attributed the export growth to improved marketing, better access to regional markets and rising global demand. Union officials said attention to quality, standard packaging and export facilitation were main factors behind the increase.

Ahmad Khali Rahmani, spokesperson for the Kabul Dried Fruits Exporters Union, expressed hope that exports would rise further next year with the activation of export zones and companies in the capital and provinces, alongside resolutions to banking challenges, trader visas and lower transportation costs.

Businessman Mahbubullah Mohammadi noted multiple meetings with government officials and institutions, emphasizing the need for a regular agricultural cargo system with fixed pricing for goods transport as an alternative while closed trade routes remain inaccessible.

Economic experts believe boosting agricultural exports, particularly pine nuts, could significantly improve the economy and incomes. They urged addressing challenges in transport, banking, storage and global market access to sustain the trend.