Trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Afghanistan reaches nearly US$624 million

At the end of 2020, the volume of mutual trade between Kazakhstan and Afghanistan increased by 55 percent. According to Kazakh Ministry of Trade and Integration, the total turnover reached almost US$624 million, wherein over 90 percent accounted for exports. Kazakhstan supplies more than 45 types of products to the market of Afghanistan. These are products of the petrochemical, metallurgical, mechanical engineering, chemical, light, wood processing, furniture and food industries. Flour is the most popular product. Afghanistan, in turn, mainly supplies grape and citrus fruits to Kazakhstan. However, the situation in Afghanistan forces Kazakhstan to rethink its trade routes, experts say.

“There were no questions regarding the safety of cargo earlier, but now there are. We also do not know if banks in Afghanistan will start operating in the near future and whether international financial institutions will support payments from this country? Overall, we understand the responsibility of ensuring the food security of this region. I think that by the end of the month there will be a clear understanding of with whom and how we will continue working. Regardless of the political situation, Afghanistan will buy Kazakh flour and grain,” said Yevgeny Gan, President of Kazakhstan’s Union of Grain Processors.

Translation by Saniya Sakenova

Editing by Galiya Khassenkhanova