Afghan exporters showcase high-end food products

Mumbai ,

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is supporting the participation of Afghan agribusinesses at the show, which runs through September 15, 2018 . More than 50 Afghan agri exporters are participating in the Expo to promote their products and sign deals with buyers.

The event offers a critical opportunity for Afghan exporters of high-end produce to get a foothold in lucrative overseas markets such as Maharashtra, Kerala, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh  , Goa , Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Odisha.

Agriculture is the backbone of Afghanistan’s economy. Up to 80 percent of Afghans are dependent on farming and livestock, and agriculture contributes 25 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.

Afghanistan considers India as the largest market as it’s get ready market of more than One billion people for it’s Agri and craft products. During the last three years Kabul exported about 10,200 metric tons  in volume to India. In last one year alone  it went up to 2500 M tonnes and this year it is expected to reach 5000 Metric tons

According to the World Bank, more fresh and dried fruits are exported from Afghanistan than any other products. Fruit exports grew at a rate of 208 percent from 2012 to 2015, while nut exports grew at a rate of 73 percent during the same period

The event in Mumbai underscores the growing economic interconnection between the two countries. Last year, Afghan President Ghani implemented air cargo incentives that led to the first direct air shipments of Afghan produce into the Indian airports of New Delhi and Mumbai.

“Our agriculture export growth is likely to continue as South Asian economies expand and as Afghanistan’s trade environment continues to improve,” said Naseer Ahmad Durrani, Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, who lunched the promotion of Afghan Shindolkhani grapes on September 12 in Big Bazar GenNext store in Mumbai in league with Future Group, India’s largest retail chain .

“As Afghanistan re-emerges, overcoming her recent challenges, and begins to re-open its gardens of fruits, nuts and spices, unadulterated by heavy chemical use, India’s consumers stand to benefit from the all natural, pure, and tasty produce. “Naseer Ahmad Durrani

Afghan produce has long been a favourite of Indian consumers. Afghan apples, grapes, apricots, pomegranates, and raisins continue to be a staple of Indian hospitality. With increased capacity of Afghan producers and exporters to deliver the freshest of produce to market, these quality products are once again finding their way onto supermarket shelves.

---

---