Iran’s exports to Afghanistan surge nearly 85% in 2024 despite water tensions

Iran’s exports to Afghanistan jumped dramatically in 2024, figures from the Iranian embassy in Kabul showed.

News ID: 5810

Date: 19 January 2025 - 09:09

TABNAK, Jan 19: Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization cited figures from the Iranian trade attaché in Kabul, showing that Iran’s exports to Afghanistan had amounted to $3.143 billion last year, up more than 83% from 2023.

Data from Afghanistan’s customs office put 2024 imports from Iran at $3.197 billion, up 84% from the year before.

Afghanistan has been one of the five largest buyers of Iranian exports since the country came under the control of a new Taliban administration in 2021, according to annual figures published by the Iranian customs office.

That comes as Iran, like the rest of the world, has yet to officially recognize the ruling government in Kabul. However, the two neighboring countries have maintained trade and economic cooperation to help Afghanistan emerge from years of war and occupation.

Afghanistan relies on imports for 80% of its needs and Iran has been a main supplier of goods to the landlocked country.

Data show that exports from Iran, which include oil and refinery products, steel and crops, account for nearly a fourth of all imports into Afghanistan.

Iran has held numerous trade fairs in Afghanistan in recent months while increasing the working hours of its border customs offices to expand its exports to the country.

Iran’s embassy figures published on Saturday showed that Afghanistan’s exports to Iran had also risen by 116% in 2024 to reach a total of $54 million