Announcement

Afghanistan’s First Juice Factory Opens

Factory will produce juice from fruit grown by 50,000 Afghan farmers.

Kabul, Afghanistan  | Saturday, October 31, 2009

Photo: Ian F. Carver, ASAP

Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Asif Rahimi toured the factory and observed the production of juice.

Afghanistan produces some of the world’s tastiest fruit and has the potential to spread its agricultural wealth around the world.  On October 15, 2009, the Omaid Bahar Fruit Processing Company opened the first juice factory in Afghanistan.  Funded by USAID, the factory employs approximately 200 workers, many of whom are women.  Omaid Bahar will buy fruit, including pomegranates, apples, and apricots, from approximately 50,000 Afghan farmers throughout the country.  The factory already has contracts for its products with companies in India and the Middle East, and is negotiating additional contracts with European and North American firms. 

At the launch event, Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Asif Rahimi noted that the factory was essential for Afghanistan’s stability and economic growth.  “If you want to see what Afghanistan’s agricultural future will be, look here,” he stated.  “This is the beginning.”