Humble pine nut brings two countries together

MEHTARLAM, Afghanistan－For Afghan businesspeople such as Noor Mohammad, the resumption of exports via the air corridor to China is welcome news.

"The resumption of pine nut exports to China has encouraged local traders to further invest in the profitable seeds to increase their incomes and create job opportunities for others," said the 42-year-old trader Mohammad, describing China as a good market for Afghan pine nuts. "I have hired about 120 people to collect and clean pine nuts for me every day."

The air corridor between Afghanistan and China was launched in November 2018 aimed at boosting trade and economic relations, but it was suspended after the collapse of the US-backed Afghan administration to the Taliban in mid-August.

Afghanistan resumed pine nut exports to China late last month via the air corridor, and the first flight carried 45 metric tons of the seeds, the first export to China since the Taliban's takeover of the country.

"The export of pine nuts to China leads to the increase in the price of the seeds. Otherwise, the price would drop and pine nut traders would subsequently suffer," Mohammad said. "More exports of pine nuts to China would further serve our economic benefit at home."

Rahimullah, another Afghan trader, said the country is at a critical stage, where poverty, unemployment and uncertainty have added to the suffering of war-weary Afghans, many of whom are living under the poverty line.

After the withdrawal of US-led foreign forces and the establishment of the Taliban caretaker government, Afghanistan is facing multifaceted economic woes, including assets being frozen in the United States and bank activities being restricted at home.

More than 22 million of Afghanistan's 35 million people would face food shortage this winter, according to the World Food Programme.

'Raising hope'

"Pine nut exports to China have raised hope among local traders to invest in the profitable seeds, and that is why I have hired about 150 daily wagers to work for me every day to clean the fruit," Rahimullah, 38, said. "It is my earnest wish to see the increase in the exports of pine nuts to China as more exports and more profits would eventually improve our economic situation and living conditions."

Pine nut trees are largely grown in the eastern Laghman, Nangarhar, Kunar, Kapisa, Nuristan, Khost, Paktia and Paktika provinces, where thousands of people including women are engaged in the business.

"Since pine nuts are profitable, there is no doubt investment in the fruit will help many people make profit directly and indirectly, and bringing change to their livelihoods," said Badam, who leased a jungle of pine nuts in Nuristan. "China could be a good market for Afghan pine nuts."

Xinhua