Taliban Pushes Rail Route to Boost Fresh Fruit Exports

DID Press: Noor Ahmad Islam Jar has called for accelerating the export of fresh agricultural products through Afghanistan’s rail network, particularly the Khaf–Herat railway, urging the removal of administrative barriers to prevent post-harvest losses and reduce damage to farmers’ produce.

The Herat provincial media office stated that a joint meeting involving officials from the industry and commerce sector, customs authorities, fruit exporters’ unions, and traders reviewed expanded use of the Khaf–Herat rail corridor as a primary export route for fresh fruit shipments.

Islam Jar emphasized that rail transport can significantly reduce transit time and prevent spoilage caused by delays. He warned that any bottlenecks at customs checkpoints directly harm farmers and traders, calling for better coordination among responsible institutions.

He also recommended that traders use specialized refrigerated or designated fruit transport wagons on the Khaf–Herat route to reduce costs and maintain product quality.

Recent reports indicate that the Khaf–Herat railway has set new cargo transit records in recent months. Over 100,000 tons of goods were transported in a single month, while the Roznak station recorded 111,000 tons of cargo handling.

In one week alone, more than 32,000 tons of goods moved through the corridor, bringing total annual transit volumes to 111,848 tons—highlighting its growing importance as a key trade gateway for Afghanistan and its potential role in boosting fresh fruit exports.