The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Pakistan’s trade with Afghanistan rose to $143 million in August, a 4% increase from the previous month, driven by higher imports despite falling exports, The Nation reported.
Imports from Afghanistan climbed 50% month-on-month to $55 million, compared with $37 million in July. On a year-on-year basis, imports were up 16% from $47 million in August 2024. Exports, meanwhile, dropped 13% from July to $88 million and slipped 1% compared with $89 million a year earlier.
Overall trade between the two neighbors expanded 5% year-on-year, rising from $136 million in August 2024 to $143 million last month.
During the first two months of the 2025–26 fiscal year (July–August), bilateral trade stood at $282 million, up 1% from the same period last year. Pakistan’s exports declined slightly to $190 million from $193 million, while imports rose 8% to $91 million from $85 million.
Sectors showing strong export growth included fruits and vegetables (up 227% to $16.4 million), vegetable oils and fats (up 187% to $8.7 million), aluminum (up 81% to $11.9 million), cement (up 79% to $20.5 million), wood products (up 65% to $8.5 million), plastics (up 42% to $7.2 million) and pharmaceuticals (up 23% to $29 million).
At the same time, exports of malt extracts, prepared foods, electrical equipment, motorcycles and rice posted declines. Rice exports fell 15% year-on-year to $35.9 million.
The surge in imports was largely fueled by Afghan produce, including apricots, which soared 382% year-on-year to $20 million. Imports of grapes rose 96% to $7.5 million, tomatoes increased 46% to $18.8 million, and cucumbers climbed 15% to $9.2 million, The Nation said.
