Kandahar Pomegranate Farmers Face Crisis Amid Declining Yields and Prices

Pomegranate growers in Kandahar are expressing concerns over declining yields and prices for their produce, attributing the challenges to drought, pest infestations, and border closures. Local statistics indicate that this year’s pomegranate harvest has dropped to 220,000 tons.

Significant Decline in Pomegranate Yields in Kandahar

Farmers in Kandahar province are facing a serious crisis driven by drought, untimely rains, and an outbreak of plant pests. Combined with the closure of trade borders with Pakistan, these factors have led to an unprecedented drop in yields and a significant decrease in market prices. As a key center for pomegranate production in Afghanistan, Kandahar has experienced a sharp decline in both the quantity and quality of its harvest this year.

Estimated Drop in Pomegranate Yields to 220,000 Tons

Hanif Hekmat, spokesperson for the Kandahar Department of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, stated that the total pomegranate production is expected to reach approximately 220,000 tons this year, indicating a nearly 30% decrease compared to last year’s 275,000 tons.

Farmers Voice Concerns Over Pests and Water Shortages

Farmers in the districts of Arghandab, Nawa, and Ma’ruf have reported vulnerabilities in their trees and expressed their dissatisfaction with the current conditions. They indicate that around 80% of the fruits have suffered from cracking and damage due to insufficient water and agricultural pests, resulting in a loss of market value. Growers are urging responsible authorities to take immediate action to save the orchards.

Price Drops Due to Market Saturation

Additionally, the closure of the Spin Boldak-Chaman crossing since late October has created a bottleneck for pomegranate marketing. The saturation of domestic markets has led to a drastic drop in the price per sack of damaged pomegranates, from around 400 Afghanis last year to less than 100 Afghanis today. Farmers have pointed out that their unsuccessful attempts to access regional markets, combined with high air transport costs and poor alternative routes, have made other options economically unviable.