Herat – A private Afghan company has launched the first-ever export of Kandahar pomegranates to Russia through the Torghundi border crossing in Herat province on October 27, 2025, a move officials described as a step toward diversifying Afghanistan’s trade routes and expanding access to international markets for fresh produce.

Taking to X, Afghan Taliban regime spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said, “The start of the process of transporting pomegranates from Afghanistan to Russia is a very important step in economic terms. With this, another major market will be created for our country’s products, especially pomegranates, and progress will be made in the country’s exports.”

According to the Kandahar Chamber of Commerce and Investment, the inaugural shipment, via Turkmenistan, included 22 tons of pomegranates valued at $24,000. Kandahar province, known for producing some of the world’s finest pomegranates, expects a harvest exceeding 270,000 tons this year.

The company behind the export, Kanda Fruit, said the initial shipment marks the start of a broader export drive to Russia. “This is our company’s first export truck carrying 22 tons of pomegranates,” said Abu Huraira Saeed, the firm’s director. “By the end of the season, we aim to export between 200 and 250 tons.”

Symbolism Over Substance

Analysts, however, note that Kabul’s promotion of 22 tons of Kandahar pomegranates, worth just $24,000, sent to Russia via the Herat–Torghundi–Turkmenistan route is more symbolic than substantive. The announcement comes as the Istanbul peace talks stall over Pakistan’s demand for verifiable action against the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The Taliban’s celebration coincides with the continued closure of key border crossings, Torkham, Chaman, and Ghulam Khan, freezing over $1.5 billion in annual exports. The closure of the Torkham border since October 13 has left thousands of transporters stranded, many short on money and suffering both physical and psychological stress.

When Hindukush Tribune Network (HTN) reached out to the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce for comment on the ongoing border closure between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the chamber confirmed that the shutdown has inflicted heavy losses on both sides, with Afghanistan suffering an estimated $1.5 billion in losses, while Pakistan incurred around PKR 1.5 billion.

The chamber added that over 20,000 tons of goods, including cement, construction materials, and perishables, typically pass daily through the Pak–Afghan crossings. At present, more than 6,000 vehicles remain stranded on both sides of the border.

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The Strategic Reality

Afghanistan’s economy has reportedly shrunk by 25% since 2021, with fruits forming nearly a quarter of non-opium exports, now largely stranded under Pakistan’s security-driven trade lockdown.

Analysts argue that by touting “self-reliance,” Kabul is masking growing economic isolation. A 22-ton shipment northward cannot replace the thousands of tons that once flowed daily through Pakistan. Mujahid’s “hopeful” tone, they suggest, signals a psychological recalibration by the Taliban regime, seeking space amid the stalled Istanbul talks.

“The Taliban regime may market self-reliance,” said one South Asian trade observer, “but no alternative corridor can replace Pakistan’s routes or stability guarantees. Real sovereignty begins when Kabul curbs militancy, not when it redirects fruit trucks north.”

Pakistan’s position remains uncompromising: without credible action against the TTP or allied militants, no trade normalization will occur.

As one diplomat put it, “Geography still rules economics. Afghanistan’s arteries run through Pakistan, and real sovereignty begins when Kabul curbs militancy, not markets headlines.”