Balochistan Shifts to Pomegranate Farming as Afghan Border Closure Cuts Imports

PISHIN, Balochistan – Rahim ud Din inspected the large, ruby‑red pomegranates in his orchard in southwestern Pakistan, a site that housed apple trees a decade ago.

Balochistan frequently contends with heatwaves, droughts and water shortages. Rahim ud Din, 42, was compelled in 2016 to replace his apple orchard in Pishin district with pomegranate trees after water levels dwindled.

He imported pomegranate saplings from Kandahar province in Afghanistan, renowned for its high‑quality fruit. Din now cultivates four varieties, most notably the “Kandahari Anaar,” a locally recognized type.

“Pomegranates are no longer exclusive to Kandahar,” Din told Arab News. “Our Pishin orchard now yields fruit that matches the quality of Afghan produce.”

The orchard lies in Killi Tor Shah village, about 20 km from Pishin city. Din notes that the local climate resembles Kandahar’s, enabling him to grow fruit of comparable quality.

“If you placed Kandahar and Pishin pomegranates side by side, it would be hard to tell which originated from where – their colour, size and taste are virtually indistinguishable,” he said.

POMEGRANATE SHORTAGE

Pakistan, a major importer of Afghan pomegranates, imported over $18 million worth of the fruit in 2024, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

Tensions and clashes between the neighbours this year led to the closure of their shared border, halting trade and people’s movement. Consequently, the flow of fruits, vegetables and other commodities dropped sharply.

Pakistan has shut all border crossings, suspending roughly $2 billion in bilateral trade with Afghanistan for over a year. Islamabad accuses Kabul of providing safe haven to militant groups that attack Pakistani security forces and civilians; Kabul rejects these allegations.

Earlier this month, the commerce ministry told a parliamentary standing committee that Pakistan’s exports to Afghanistan have fallen by about $1 billion, reflecting the trade freeze that has persisted since 2025.

The commerce secretary added that Pakistan suffered an estimated $387 million in trade losses between July and October this year, citing the suspension of trade caused by regional conflicts, border closures and higher transport costs.

Hajji Jalat Khan Achakzai, an Afghan pomegranate importer, said the trade halt hurts not only consumers but also importers, clearing agents and transporters who rely on the seasonal fruit business.

Pomegranates typically reach markets nationwide between mid‑October and mid‑December.

“Before the border closure, roughly 250 trucks loaded with Afghan pomegranates crossed the Chaman border each day,” said Achakzai, the former president of the Chaman Chamber of Commerce.

Afghanistan produces pomegranates in “substantial quantity,” he noted, while Balochistan’s output falls short of even provincial demand, let alone national needs.

He urged Islamabad and Kabul to resolve their disputes so that trade can resume.

Achakzai dismissed Pakistani farmers’ assertions about local pomegranate quality, insisting they cannot match the fruit cultivated in Kandahar.

‘NOT GOOD FOR TRADE’

Prices of premium pomegranates have doubled since the Afghan border closed, forcing traders to rely on local harvests.

In Quetta, Balochistan’s capital, a kilogram of premium pomegranate now retails for Rs900 (≈ $3), up from Rs400 (≈ $1.44) last year.

Bashir Khan, a trader at Quetta’s Hazar Ganji fruit market, sources most of his pomegranates from Pishin and Killa Abdullah districts.

In 2025, a 10‑kg crate of large pomegranates fetched Rs4,000 (≈ $14). This year, the price has more than doubled to Rs10,000 (≈ $36) per crate.

“Before the border closure, substantial Afghan supplies kept prices low and satisfied demand,” Khan explained.

Waheed Ahmed, patron‑in‑chief of the Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Association and a member of the Prime Minister’s export board, said pomegranates were being sold domestically rather than exported.

“The Afghan border closure has created an opportunity for local pomegranate growers in Balochistan,” he said.

“But closing the border is not good for trade, as many of our other agricultural products used to be exported to Afghanistan and then onward to Central Asian markets,” he added.

Back at his farm, Din recommends other farmers to cultivate pomegranates rather than grapes or apples in water‑scarce Balochistan.

“While the income may be modest, farmers can achieve greater financial security,” he said. “Rainfall supports pomegranate trees, fostering growth and productivity.”

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