Apricots market in Afghanistan

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the apricots market size in Afghanistan showed significant volatility, primarily influenced by domestic production trends. The market volume grew from 108.6 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 196.8 thousand tons in 2021, before contracting to 141.9 thousand tons in 2022 and then recovering to 155.2 thousand tons in 2023.

Production volumes rose steadily from 109.1 thousand tons in 2018 to 207.5 thousand tons in 2021, driving the overall market expansion. Export activity, which was negligible in 2018, increased notably in 2019 and 2022 to 27.4 and 28.6 thousand tons respectively, reducing the volume available for domestic consumption during those years.

By 2023, production had stabilized at 174.6 thousand tons, while exports moderated to 19.4 thousand tons. This resulted in a domestic market size of 155.2 thousand tons, reflecting a period of consolidation after the earlier production-led surge and subsequent adjustments.

Production apricots in Afghanistan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Afghanistan was one of the world's top apricot producers, ranking 8th globally by production volume.

Top producers of apricots, 2017-2020

World map of production of apricots, 2017-2020

Afghanistan's apricot production grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 131.8 thousand tons of apricots, marking a modest year-over-year increase of 1.9%. Production hit its lowest point in 2018 at 109.1 thousand tons, which represented the largest decline of 17.2% that year. The most significant growth occurred in 2019 with an 18.6% increase.

Annual dynamics of production in Afghanistan in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports apricots from Afghanistan

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 at 554 tons and peaked in 2019 at 27 447 tons, representing a dramatic 50-fold difference. In 2020, apricot shipments from Afghanistan totaled 15 484 tons, indicating a sharp 43.6% drop compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 92.1%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2019 with a staggering 4 851.3% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Afghanistan in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Pakistan was the overwhelmingly dominant market for Afghanistan's apricot exports, accounting for 96.9% of total shipments in volume.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Afghanistan in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. Export values bottomed out in 2018 at 133 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2020 at 12 374 thousand US dollars, showing a 93-fold change. In 2020, Afghanistan's apricot exports reached 12 374 thousand US dollars, which was 7.8% higher than in 2019. The largest decline was in 2018 at 98.1%, while the most significant increase was in 2019 with an 8 512.8% surge.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Afghanistan in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Afghanistan's apricot export value was heavily concentrated on Pakistan, which captured 88.4% of total flows, with other partners making up the remainder.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Afghanistan in value, 2017-2020

Imports apricots to Afghanistan

Imports in kind, t

Afghanistan's apricot imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume stood at 0.1 tons, reflecting a sharp 86.3% drop from the previous year. From 2018 to 2020, imports decreased by 99.9%, translating to an annualized decline rate of 89.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Afghanistan in kind, 2017-2020, t

During 2017–2020, apricot imports to Afghanistan came almost exclusively from India, which supplied 99.0% of total import volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Afghanistan in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Afghanistan's apricot import value fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country imported 0.2 thousand US dollars worth of apricots, representing a 78.0% year-over-year decrease. Between 2018 and 2020, imports dropped by 99.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 83.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Afghanistan in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, India was the primary partner for Afghanistan's apricot imports in value terms, contributing 97.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Afghanistan in value, 2017-2020