Export produce is being sold off locally in Nangarhar province as the crossing into Pakistan at Torkham remained closed for the third straight day Saturday.
The crossing was closed on Wednesday after a clash broke out between Taliban and Pakistan border guards.
The Afghanistan Chamber of Agriculture and Livestock (ACAL) voiced concern about the ongoing closure and back up of trucks carrying perishable goods.
Dozens of trucks carrying fresh produce have since turned around and made their way to the fruit and vegetable market in Jalalabad in Nangarhar in a bid to recoup some costs.
Chamber officials say that traders exporting grapes have sustained a financial loss of at least 450 AFN per 7kgs. Tomatoes are also being sold at a loss and for 7kg, cost only 20 AFN.
Meanwhile, the ACAL estimates that more than 500 trucks of vegetable and fruits have been stranded at the Torkham crossing—which has inflicted millions of Afghanis in losses to traders.
According to the ACAL, around 250 trucks are exporting products from Afghanistan through the Torkham crossing.
Taliban officials said that they are in negotiations with the Pakistani side to facilitate the reopening of the Torkham crossing, but there has yet to be any progress in this regard.
