KUNDUZ, Afghanistan — The manager of a gas oven manufacturing factory in Kunduz reports a sharp decline in production and sales, mirroring the economic hardships faced by small businesses across the country.
According to the factory’s management, daily production has plummeted from 40 gas ovens to just 10, and sales have become increasingly difficult. Once employing 14 workers and fulfilling orders from neighboring provinces, the factory now operates with only five employees.
“In the past, we produced 30 to 40 ovens a day, and they would sell out immediately — we even faced shortages,” the factory manager said. “We had 15 workers, and their incomes supported their families. Now we have only five workers, producing eight to 10 ovens daily, and even those are hard to sell.”
The factory produces gas ovens used for baking traditional Afghan flatbread. The reduction in production has significantly impacted the workers’ wages, leaving many struggling to meet basic living costs.
Sulaiman, a factory worker, described the challenges: “Our wages used to be better, but now they’ve been reduced. It’s not enough to cover living expenses. I can barely support myself, let alone my family.”
Jaafar, another worker, added: “It’s still a blessing to have work, but things have changed. We were 15 workers before; now there are just five of us. I bring home bread for my family of 12 and earn around 100 to 150 afghanis a day. It’s a struggle.”
The factory’s management attributes the decline to skyrocketing gas prices and the worsening economic situation in Afghanistan. Following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, unemployment has surged, and purchasing power has diminished.
Experts point to a broader trend of financial struggles affecting small businesses and production facilities nationwide. The collapse in consumer spending has left many factories unable to sustain operations, deepening the economic crisis.
For the Kunduz factory workers, the future remains uncertain as they contend with declining wages and reduced demand for their products. Meanwhile, the economic hardships gripping Afghanistan continue to place increasing pressure on businesses and families alike.
