Trade between Afghanistan and Russia saw significant growth in the Afghan solar year 1404 (March 2025-March 2026) compared to the year 1403 (2024/25), TOLOnews reported citing the Afghan Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
According to statistics from the ministry, the total value of bilateral trade increased from $296 million to $590 million, indicating that trade volume between the two countries has nearly doubled.
Despite this growth, the trade structure remains unbalanced, as Afghan imports account for the overwhelming majority of trade, while Afghanistan’s exports remain very limited at nearly $5 million.
Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad, spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, said: “Afghanistan’s exports to Russia include raisins, pomegranates, cherries, non-alcoholic beverages, mineral stones, dried apricots, apples, various medicinal plants, and watermelons. In contrast, natural gas, petrol, diesel fuel, timber, raw chickpeas, and sunflower oil are among Afghanistan’s most important imports from Russia.”
The Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, while highlighting the improvement in trade ties with Russia, stressed that greater efforts are needed to expand exports and provide stronger support for domestic products in order to make effective use of this growth.
Mohammad Wali Amini, Chairman of the Chamber’s Executive Board, said: “Our trade with Russia is increasing and continues to follow an upward trend. Russia can become one of Afghanistan’s key economic and trade partners. Efforts are currently underway to further expand commercial ties and increase the volume of trade between the two countries.”
In recent years, Moscow has expanded its relationship with Kabul beyond political and diplomatic engagement to include trade, transit, and economic cooperation.
