The Taliban have signed a memorandum of understanding with Uzbekistan to export Afghan agricultural products by air, as border crossings with Pakistan remain closed amid heightened tensions.
Haji Zaid, spokesperson for the Taliban governor in Balkh, said Afghan produce would be exported through Uzbekistan’s air corridors to markets in Central Asia, South Asia and Europe.
In a post on X on Thursday, he said Afghan agricultural products such as pomegranates, figs, vegetables and other seasonal fruits would be transported “through Uzbekistan’s air routes to markets in Central Asia, South Asia, European countries and Uzbekistan.” He added that the relevant agreements on air exports had been signed with Uzbekistan.
Zaid said arrangements had also been made with Afghan traders to export meat to Uzbekistan and that the process had already begun. He noted that Taliban authorities in Balkh were working to make Uzbekistan’s air corridor a viable alternative route for Afghan businesses.
The move comes after recent border clashes between the Taliban and Pakistan prompted Islamabad to close all crossings with Afghanistan.
On Wednesday, the Taliban urged Afghan traders to seek alternative trade and transit routes instead of relying on Pakistan. The group said the closure of the crossings had harmed traders and created difficulties for local markets and ordinary citizens.
The head of the Afghanistan–Pakistan Joint Chamber of Commerce told Afghanistan International that the Pakistani route remained Afghanistan’s closest commercial corridor despite current tensions. Khan Jan Alokozay called on both Pakistan and the Taliban to separate trade from politics and work toward a solution.
Yousaf Afridi, head of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce, said Afghanistan and Pakistan were economically interdependent and should keep commercial ties insulated from political disputes.
