Apple growers in eastern Afghanistan’s Paktia province say this year’s harvest is stronger than in previous years, but they are struggling to store and sell their produce due to a lack of cold storage facilities and road closures.
Farmers told Amu TV that while yields have improved and the market has shown slight signs of recovery, logistical barriers remain a major concern.
“The apple harvest this year was better than last,” said Abdullah, a farmer in Paktia. “But in some areas, a large portion of the crop was damaged due to climate-related issues.”
Another grower, Abdul Samad, said farmers have no choice but to keep apples in their homes and sell them during the winter months — a practice he said lowers fruit quality.
Fruit traders are also worried. Abdul Rahman, a local fruit dealer, said that despite good harvests in Paktia and neighboring provinces, transportation disruptions and weak market access have discouraged many from buying fresh produce.
According to sources, road closures caused by recent border clashes between the Taliban and Pakistani forces have once again disrupted fruit exports. Each year, they said, farmers and traders suffer major losses as a result.
