Iran Bans Agricultural Imports From Afghanistan
The Islamic Republic of Iran has banned the import of agricultural products from Afghanistan, according to a report by the Tehran-based Shargh newspaper.
Alireza Khameh-Zar, head of the South Khorasan Chamber of Commerce, criticised Iran’s stringent Plant Protection Organisation regulations, which he said are obstructing agricultural imports from Afghanistan.
In an interview with Iran’s ILNA news agency, Khameh-Zar stated, “Iran was once Afghanistan’s top trading partner, but it has now dropped to fifth place.” He attributed this decline in part to Afghanistan’s growing dissatisfaction over Iran’s refusal to buy its agricultural goods, which has contributed to an imbalance in trade between the two countries.
Although trade volumes have fluctuated in recent years, Iran remains one of Afghanistan’s largest commercial partners, exporting products such as petrol, gas, construction materials, machinery, pharmaceuticals, and medical equipment.
Khameh-Zar explained that, under Iranian regulations, Afghanistan is classified as a high-risk country for agricultural imports. However, he argued that Afghanistan has the capacity to meet many of Iran’s agricultural needs. He pointed to the current cotton shortage in Iran, noting that Uzbekistan no longer exports cotton to Iran and Türkiye has become a net importer. Under these circumstances, Afghanistan could emerge as a suitable alternative supplier.
He also stressed that as Iran continues to face a worsening water crisis, relaxing restrictions on Afghan agricultural imports could help alleviate domestic challenges in food production.
Khameh-Zar highlighted Afghanistan’s comparative advantages, including low labour costs and vast tracts of undeveloped farmland, which make it an ideal candidate for offshore farming to support Iran’s agricultural market.
