Afghan cherries, apricots, and melons from Kandahar, Wardak, and Parwan provinces are now being enjoyed by customers in India and the United Arab Emirates. To strengthen Afghanistan’s agriculture sector, USAID is helping four Afghan traders to export fresh produce to buyers in New Delhi and Dubai. USAID linked the Afghan exporters with the buyers; provided technical assistance in sorting, grading, and packaging the fruit; assisted with export and customs documentation; and identified appropriate transport for the exports. In a two-week period, Afghan traders exported about $110,000 worth of fresh produce, including 11 metric tons of apricots to Dubai and 5 metric tons of apricots to New Delhi; one metric ton of cherries to Dubai and one metric ton of cherries to New Delhi; and 70 metric tons of melons to New Delhi. 

In an effort to increase Afghanistan’s exports, USAID negotiated special rates to ship the country’s fresh produce to markets abroad. While the cherries and apricots traveled by air, the melons were exported from Kandahar through Pakistan to India in open trucks. USAID provided special packaging that reduced melon losses from 20 percent to a maximum of 5 percent.  When international buyers see that Afghanistan can provide delicious, well-packaged fruit at a good price, exports will increase and the country’s farmers will enjoy higher incomes and an improved standard of living.