The Ministry of Industry and Commerce reports that in the first five months of the current solar year, over 400 kilograms of honey were exported from Afghanistan.
Abdul Salam Jawad, the spokesperson for the ministry, stated that this quantity of honey, valued at $4,500, was exported to Oman, Germany, and Japan.
The spokesperson added: “The export of honey from the country, weighing 430 kilograms and valued at $4,500, was carried out to Oman, Germany, and Japan. Meanwhile, during the same period, more than 175 tons of honey, valued at $328,000, were imported to Afghanistan from Turkey, Pakistan, China, the United Arab Emirates, and several other countries.”
At the same time, some honey sellers, while expressing concern over the declining market for honey sales, are calling for the prevention of the import of low-quality honey into the country.
Wahidullah, a honey seller, said: “The reason for the decline in our sales market is due to the government’s negligence. The honey imported from Pakistan and Iran is either artificial or produced artificially and is being sold in the market. Ordinary people are not to blame; they do not know which one is good and which one is not.”
Najibullah, another honey seller, added: “Our request to the Islamic Emirate is that any low-quality honey should not be allowed to enter the market, as it diminishes people’s trust in high-quality honey.”
Meanwhile, officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock say that the ministry is committed to supporting beekeepers.
Misbahuddin Mustaeen, spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, stated: “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, plans to establish laboratories in the country for producing quality honey, which will play a major role in domestic production and export to foreign countries.”
According to the officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, there are currently 3,397 honey farms across the country, producing 2,200 metric tons of honey.