Despite ongoing drought conditions in Afghanistan, the yield of wet fruits in Balkh province has doubled compared to last year, leading to lower prices in local markets.
A visit to fruit markets in Mazar-i-Sharif, the provincial capital, revealed that both sellers and buyers are satisfied with the increased availability and affordability of fresh fruits this season.
Fruit yields have increased across all districts of Balkh province, with some produce being exported to neighboring provinces. The harvest of apples, plums, apricots, peaches, strawberries, and cherries has grown significantly compared to previous years.
In the past, residents of Balkh depended on fruit and agricultural products imported from other provinces and countries. Now, the province is able to meet its own demand and supply other parts of Afghanistan.
However, gardeners face challenges such as insufficient cold storage facilities and hot weather, which force them to sell fruits at lower prices. Balkh province currently has about 23,000 hectares of orchards where various fruit trees are cultivated.
The main districts supplying fruit to Balkh markets include Chemtal, Chahar Bolak, Dehdadi, Samarkand, and Chahar Sang. Most people in these districts are engaged in farming, gardening, and animal husbandry. The primary crops grown include apricots, peaches, strawberries, watermelons, and melons.
Fruit prices in Balkh markets vary by type. Peaches, apricots, and plums are sold for AFN 20 to AFN 50 per kilogram. Cherries range from AFN 80 to AFN 200, while strawberries cost between AFN 100 and AFN 150 per kilogram.
Imported fruits such as Iranian oranges are priced around AFN 100 per kilogram, and Egyptian oranges sell for AFN 130 to AFN 150. Iranian apples cost between AFN 150 and AFN 200, Afghan apples range from AFN 100 to AFN 150, Brazilian apples are priced at AFN 250, and Chinese apples sell for AFN 200 per kilogram. Chinese pears cost between AFN 150 and AFN 180, Afghan pears about AFN 200, Indian bananas AFN 80, mangoes AFN 90, melons AFN 20 to AFN 40, and watermelons are the cheapest at AFN 7 to AFN 10 per kilogram.
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