Pakistans agricultural exports to Afghanistan showed an increase of 67 percent to $127.95 million in the first quarter of FY23 when compared to $76.69 million in the corresponding period of the last year.
According to the sources, the total exports of Pakistan to Afghanistan were recorded at $88.30 million in September 2022 as compared to $49 million in September 2021.
A growth of 66 percent from $75.46 million in August to $125 million was seen in imports in September 2022 however the exports declined by 11 percent in September as compared to August.
Meanwhile, the export of goods like, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, rice, medicines, confectionery items, and dairy products also increased in September 2022. While exports of items like tableware, household articles, slag, and plastics, decreased in the reporting month.
Sources stated that non-Agri exports surged by 84 percent in September 2022 when compared to the previous September while in the first quarter non-Agri exports surged by 60 percent against the same period of the last fiscal year.
The countrys major Agri export items to Afghanistan include fats, vegetables, food preparation products, potatoes, rice, and bananas while Pakistans major non-Agri export items include pharmaceutical products and cement.
According to the sources, Pakistan has permitted duty-free import on a unilateral basis to Afghanistan because of which bilateral trade between the two countries is increasing.
In June this year,?Pakistan enhanced bilateral cooperation and also announced trade-related concessions for Afghanistan to help it overcome failing humanitarian and economic disasters after the Taliban returned to power last August.
During the 11 months of the present financial year, Pakistani exports to Afghanistan dropped to nearly $700 million from more than $900 million last year, as per a spokesperson for the commerce ministry in Islamabad.?
The change is linked mostly to increased purchases of Afghan coal and an extremely good quality cotton by Pakistan in recent months.