Kabul/Islamabad: Afghanistan has officially stopped importing wheat and flour from Pakistan, ending a decades‑long dependency. Trade data shows that in 2015, Pakistan exported more than $320 million worth of flour to Afghanistan, but that figure has now fallen to zero.
The decline follows recent political and security tensions between the two countries. Afghan Taliban authorities had earlier urged local traders and industrialists to reduce reliance on Pakistan and explore alternative trade routes.
For decades, Pakistan served as Afghanistan’s largest trade and transit corridor, handling nearly half of its commerce. However, Afghan officials have now directed businesses to strengthen ties with other regional partners.
International market statistics reveal that in 2024, Afghanistan purchased wheat and flour worth $689 million from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Russia, with projections suggesting the figure could rise to $750 million in 2025.
Analysts say the shift highlights Afghanistan’s growing reliance on Central Asian suppliers and reflects the impact of strained Pakistan–Afghanistan relations on traditional commerce, particularly in the food sector.