Iran exported 1.06 million tons of commodities worth of $341 million to Afghanistan during the first two months of the current Iranian year (March 20-May 20), data released by Iran Customs Administration shows.
Exports from Iran to Afghanistan witnessed a 3.5% rise in tonnage and 8% decline in value compared to last year’s corresponding period.
According to Iran Customs Administration major commodities exported to Afghanistan during the period included fruit and vegetable, foodstuff, industrial goods and construction materials.
Tomatoes topped the list of exports with over $26 million, followed by iron bars with $23 million.
Pastry and chocolates with $10.2 million, oil derivatives with $8 million, cream with $7.67 million, urea with $7.6 million, cement with $7.61 million, fruit juice with $6.5 million, watermelon with $6 million and apples with $5.8 million followed the list.
Notably, $850,000 worth of day-old chickens were exported to Afghanistan during the period.
Trade continues despite coronavirus
Iranian border crossings of Milak, Mahiroud and Dogharoun linking the country to Afghanistan are open for trade despite the coronavirus pandemic.
According to chairman of Iran-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce, Afghanistan has lifted all restrictions on the import of Iranian products that had been placed after the novel coronavirus outbreak.
Salimi noted that Iranian truck drivers carrying goods to Afghanistan are easily granted entry visa, Hossein Salimi said.
The value of annual trade between the two countries stands at around $3 billion, he said.