![Sugar exports from Pakistan to Afghanistan surged 15 times in 2024, reaching over $91 million, amid trade challenges and rising tariffs. [Image via Tolo News]](https://pkafgyouthforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/vlcsnap-2024-11-19-21h59m19s479.webp)
Pakistani media outlets reported that in the first four months of the fiscal year, sugar exports from Pakistan to Afghanistan have increased by 15 times.
Reports indicate that sugar exports from Pakistan to Afghanistan between July and October 2024 were worth more than $91 million. However, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce stated that during the first ten months of this year, sugar imports from Pakistan totaled $44 million. Overall trade between the two countries reached $1.938 billion during this period.
Out of the total trade volume, $637 million came from Afghanistan’s exports.
Akundzada Abdul Salam Jawad, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, told TOLOnews that Afghanistan’s trade with Pakistan during the first ten months of 2024 totaled $1.938 billion. This included approximately $637 million in exports and $1.301 billion in imports. Sugar imports from Pakistan during this period amounted to a total weight of 216,000 tons. These imports were valued at more than $44 million.
Also See: Afghan Traders Call on Pakistan to Reduce Tariffs
Impact of Tariffs and Trade Restrictions
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PAJCCI) has said that restrictions imposed by Pakistan on trade with Afghanistan consistently have negative impacts on both exports and imports.
Khanjan Alokozai, head of the PAJCCI, said: “The Islamic Emirate has increased tariffs on 22 types of Pakistani goods by 100%. For example, the tariff on milk was previously 2.5%, but now it is 50%. They increased tariffs on our goods, and we did the same in response.”
Zalmai Azimi, a trader, commented on the level of trade with Pakistan. He said, “The level of trade, including imports and exports between Afghanistan and Pakistan, has decreased.” He added that “there are many reasons for this, including problems created by Pakistan.“
This comes as border tensions, the closure of shared trade routes, and increased tariffs by Pakistan on Afghanistan’s exports have led to a decline in trade during the current solar year.
This news is sourced from [Tolo News] and is for informational purposes only.
