Afghanistan’s total trade volume reached nearly $14 billion in 2025, the Taliban-run ministry of industry and commerce said, citing growth in both exports and imports despite ongoing economic challenges.
Abdul Salam Jawad, spokesman for the Taliban-run ministry, said total trade amounted to $13.93 billion, including $1.81 billion in exports and $12.13 billion in imports. He said the total value of trade was equivalent to about 918 billion afghanis.
Jawad said trade volumes rose in 2025 compared with the previous year, adding that economic difficulties had not prevented growth in the country’s trade.
According to the ministry, Afghanistan’s main export destinations last year were India, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan, Iran, Turkey, China, Iraq and Tajikistan.
Key export items included figs, raisins, asafoetida and its seeds, coal, cotton, pistachios, almonds, saffron, dried apricots, cumin, apples, grapes, tomatoes, mung beans, energy drinks, minerals, carpets and rugs, pine nuts and pomegranates.
On the import side, the ministry said Afghanistan mainly imported goods from Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, China, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia and India.
Major imports included vehicle parts and machinery, diesel and petrol, wheat flour, electrical equipment and spare parts, natural gas, cotton textiles, vegetable oils, cement, medicines, parboiled rice, sugar, dairy products and eggs, cigarettes, raw materials for factories, tyres and new clothing.
Afghanistan’s economy has been under strain since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, following the withdrawal of foreign forces, international sanctions and sharp cuts in foreign aid.
