Pakistan’s sugar exports to Afghanistan have surged nearly 15-fold in the first four months of the current fiscal year, contributing to a 29% increase in overall trade between the two neighboring countries. The period from July to October 2024 saw trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan rise to $703.2mn, compared to $544.4mn during the same period last year.
Exports from Pakistan to Afghanistan witnessed a jump, growing by more than 50% to $450.1mn, up from $298.7mn in 2023. On the other hand, imports from Afghanistan saw a more modest increase, reaching $253mn compared to $245.7mn last year.
Month-to-month trade also showed strong growth, with an increase of 19% from $194mn in September to $231mn in October. While Pakistan’s exports to Afghanistan showed a small rise of $2mn, reaching $130mn in October, imports from Afghanistan soared by 52%, jumping from $67mn in September to $101mn in October.
The most significant driver of this growth was sugar exports, which skyrocketed from just $5.93mn in the same period last year to $91.7mn between July and October 2024. This surge in sugar trade illustrates the growing demand for essential goods in Afghanistan, with Pakistan increasingly becoming a dominant supplier.
Other key export categories from Pakistan also showed strong performance during this period. Malt Extract increased sevenfold, rising from $1.54mn to $10.91mn. Maize/Corn nearly quadrupled, growing from $1.55mn to $5.95mn.
Machinery and Tractors saw exports rise by 150% and 78%, whereas, Rice and Pharmaceuticals gained 52% and 48%. Additionally, Rubber, Motorcycles, Wood Products, and Cement recorded increases ranging from 30% to 69%.
The surge in sugar exports, in particular, stresses a growing economic interdependence between Pakistan and Afghanistan amid the ongoing regional challenges. The rising demand for key goods and industrial materials, particularly sugar, signals Pakistan’s expanding influence in Afghanistan’s import markets.
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