Kabul, September 7:

Afghanistan has exported 50,000 tonnes of ‘sardas’ (melons) to India via Pakistan from its northern and southern regions this season, according to a trade body official. Mama Abdul Razzak, head of the Kandahar chapter of Afghanistan’s International Chambers of Commerce (AICC), said a large number of trucks laden with sardas leave daily for different cities in India where the fruit is much in demand. Razzak said the export was through private fruit merchants. “No formal agreement has been signed with the Indian government,” he said.

Melons from Kunduz, the northernmost province in Afghanistan, are supposed to be the sweetest in the world. Melons from Spin Boldak and Shurawalk districts are also being sent by road through

the Chaman border post to Pakistan. “From the Kandahar area alone, 18,500 tonnes of melons have been dispatched,” Razzak said. With a view to encouraging farmers, the AICC this year started export of melons along with grapes, said Razzak. This has sent the prices of melons in the local market soaring. It is sold at 25-35 cents per kg while in India it costs $1.50 to $2.20 a kg. Pakistan has made a concession to Afghanistan by allowing its goods to be transported by road through Chaman and Torkham checkposts to Wagah in India. India has a considerable market for Afghanistan’s fresh fruits like grapes, pomegranates as well as a wide variety of dry fruits.