KABUL (Pajhwok): Afghanistan's exports rose despite the closure of trade routes with neighboring Pakistan, according to a new World Bank report.

The report stated that exports in October reached $267 million, marking a 13 percent increase from September and a 3.7 percent rise compared to October last year. The growth was largely driven by strong regional demand for Afghan agricultural products.

“Food exports totaled USD 238.4 million in October, up 8.6 percent from the previous year, reflecting robust regional demand. Cumulatively, food exports grew by 22.4 percent in the first seven months of FY2025, remaining the dominant sector in Afghanistan's export portfolio,” the report said.

Total exports in the first seven months of FY2025 reached USD 1.1 billion, up 10 percent from USD 0.96 billion during the same period in FY2024. India emerged as the largest export destination, accounting for 50 percent of monthly exports in October and 38.3 percent of cumulative exports.

Afghanistan also successfully redirected some exports to Uzbekistan following the disruption of trade with Pakistan.

Regarding imports, the World Bank reported that Afghanistan imported goods worth USD 1.15 billion in October 2025, a 2 percent increase compared to September.

Following Pakistan's unilateral closure of trade transit routes along the Durand Line amid political tensions, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar urged industrialists and traders to explore alternative trade routes instead of relying solely on Pakistan.

He criticized Pakistan for politicizing both humanitarian and commercial matters, which he said harmed traders and industrialists on both sides.

In response, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) decided to suspend all trade dealings with Pakistan.

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