Closure of Afghan border, hike in freight costs to $8,000 hit Pakistan’s fruit, vegetable exports

The All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association (PFVA) has raised concerns over a sharp decline in export volumes, stating that international freight charges for a 24-tonne consignment or 40-foot container have surged from $3,000–$3,500 last season to $7,000–$8,000, a rise that, coupled with regional trade restrictions due to closes Afghan border, has made export targets difficult to achieve and increased financial pressure on exporters.

Ahmed added that closure of the Afghanistan border has disrupted traditional transit routes. Shipments previously routed through Afghanistan at an average freight cost of around $3,000 are now diverted through Iran, raising costs to about $8,000. Delivery times have also extended from seven to eight days to 15–20 days, affecting perishable items such as kinnows and potatoes.

The association has called for government support of $30 per tonne under the Drawback of Local Taxes and Levies (DLTL) scheme to offset higher logistics expenses.

PFVA also highlighted concerns over production levels, stating that potato output has reached 12 million metric tonnes, around two million tonnes higher than last year. The association warned that limited export routes and trade restrictions may hinder absorption of the surplus.

Most potato supplies originate from Okara district in Punjab and are exported to markets including Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Qatar, Oman and Kazakhstan.

PFVA has urged authorities to address quarantine-related issues in key markets and explore access to China, Indonesia and Europe to expand export destinations. The association also called for measures to stabilise border conditions to restore trade routes through Afghanistan.