Afghanistan: Fruit sellers, growers criticize Pakistan's decision to increase customs tariffs

The sellers said they will not be able to make profit unless tariffs are reduced.

They said Pakistan increases customs tariffs in the fresh fruit export season every year.

“Apple customs taxes have again been increased by Pakistan, previously customs were approximately 12,000 but now have increased to 40,000, 50,000. If it continues like this, we will have a big loss,” Mohammad Ullah, a seller, told Tolo News.

The Afghanistan Fruit & Vegetable Traders Union told the news portal that because of the increased customs tariffs, more cars are stopped at the crossing of Pakistan.

They said that right now Pakistan charges no taxes on some vegetables but increases it for fresh fruit.

“We call on the current government to make an agreement at the start of the year with Pakistan so Pakistan can made changes in custom tariffs until end of the year,” said Akhtar Mohammad Ahmadi, head of the Union of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables.

The Chamber of Commerce and investment said because of the lack of flights, the export options for fresh fruit to South Asian countries are weak.

“The only market we have is South Asia--Pakistan and India--and our fundamental problem is the lack of an air corridor for exporting fresh fruit. We have exported through the air corridor 20,000 to 25,000 tons fruit every year,” Khan Jan Alkozay, senior vice chairman of the ACCI, told Tolo News.