Farmers and vendors in southwestern Afghanistan say border closures with Iran and Pakistan have severely disrupted watermelon exports this year, forcing them to sell their produce at unusually low prices in domestic markets.
Traders in Herat said watermelons from the southern and western provinces of Helmand, Farah and Nimroz were flooding local markets because exports had largely stalled.
Sellers said prices had dropped sharply compared with previous years, with watermelons now selling for between 7 and 15 Afghanis per kilogram — roughly 11 to 23 cents at current exchange rates — far below prices typically seen during the early harvest season.
“In previous years, watermelons were exported abroad, but this year the borders are closed and exports have stopped,” said Azizullah, a fruit seller in Herat. “If the borders remain closed, prices will fall even further.”
May traditionally marks the beginning of the watermelon harvest season in southwestern Afghanistan, when prices are usually at their highest because fresh produce first reaches markets.
Residents said that in some previous years, watermelons sold for as much as 50 Afghanis per kilogram, or about 78 cents, during the early harvest period.
This year, however, abundant supply and limited export opportunities have pushed prices downward.
The provinces of Helmand, Farah and Nimroz are among Afghanistan’s main watermelon-producing regions because of their vast agricultural plains and favorable soil conditions.
According to local agricultural sources, Farah alone produces roughly 700,000 tons of watermelons annually, while Nimroz harvests around 150,000 tons and Helmand more than 100,000 tons.
Farmers and traders said heavier-than-usual rainfall this year could increase yields further, adding additional pressure to already weak market prices.
At the same time, many consumers say deepening poverty and unemployment have reduced purchasing power even for relatively inexpensive seasonal produce.
“People are mostly struggling to find bread,” said Abdul Majid, a resident of Herat. “Buying fruit is no longer a priority for many families.”
Afghanistan’s agricultural sector has faced mounting difficulties in recent months because of regional instability, trade disruptions and recurring border closures.
Trade routes through Pakistan and Iran have historically served as major export corridors for Afghanistan’s agricultural products, including fresh fruit and vegetables.
But repeated border tensions, transport disruptions and regional insecurity have increasingly affected Afghan farmers and exporters, many of whom rely heavily on neighboring markets.
Economists say the export disruptions highlight Afghanistan’s dependence on regional transit routes and the vulnerability of its agricultural economy to political and security tensions beyond its borders.
