Largest Cold Storage Facility Build in Kabul


(MENAFN- Daily Outlook Afghanistan) KABUL -A cold storage facility has been built by the private sector in the capitalKabul.
Thefacility, which is the largest cold storage build in the country, cost aboutfive million US dollar.
It hasthe capacity of storing 5,000 tons of agricultural products at one time. It isholding 2,000 tons of fresh apples right now.
Accordingto the owner, the warehouse can store perishable fresh fruits and vegetablesfor a period of up to six months.
'We canstore tomato for two months, grape for three months, and pomegranate, apple andorange for six months, said Habib Rezaee, the owner of the facility.
Mr.Rezaee further said that he plans to build similar storages in 20 provinces.
Anofficial in the Fresh Fruit Exporters Union told Ariana News that the buildingof such storage facilities will minimize product loss and maximize profits.
'Thegovernment has failed to build such facilities which benefit businessmen,farmers, and everyone, said Mirwais Hajizada, Deputy of the Fresh FruitExporters Union.
TheMinistry of Industry and Commerce (MoIC) welcomes the construction of the coldstorage by the private investors.
'Wewelcome any investment by the private sector for the economy development;therefore, we have a close relation with the private sector, said Samir Rasa,Spokesperson of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
Recently,officials in the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) said theAfghan government has made little effort to find markets for fresh fruits beingproduced in the country.
Currently,fresh fruits are sold cheaply within domestic markets, while large amount offruit spoils every year due to the lack of standard refrigeration.
Accordingto the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL), Afghanistan isa fertile country that produces about 1.5 million tons of fresh fruits peryear.
Lastyear, officials said the government is trying to build standard cold storagefacilities to extend the lifespan of the country's fruit, but farmers stillsuffer due to the absence of cold storage capacity across the country. (ATN)


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Daily Outlook Afghanistan

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