KABUL, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Afghanistan's Ministry of Industry and Commerce said that the country exported 317,517 tonnes of fresh fruit over the past year, generating an estimated 142 million U.S. dollars, local media Tolo news reported on Monday.

According to the report, the shipments included apples, pomegranates, apricots, grapes, melons, watermelons and figs, reaching markets in the United Arab Emirates, Türkiye, Pakistan, Europe and Central Asia.

The Chamber of Agriculture and Livestock highlighted that trade route closures and high transportation costs have posed challenges for exports, prompting the use of alternative ports such as Chabahar and Bandar Abbas, the report said.

Experts emphasized the importance of developing cold storage facilities and securing alternative trade routes to protect Afghan agricultural products and ensure smoother trade.■