Lexi Webster
Afghanistan exported goods worth $1.49 billion in 2022, making it the 151st largest exporter in the world. The country's top exports include coal briquettes, raw cotton, grapes, insect resins, and nuts. In 2022, Afghanistan's exports were valued at $184.3 million, a significant decrease from 2018. The country's main trading partners include India, Pakistan, China, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. Afghanistan's exports are primarily agricultural, mineral, and textile products, with these sectors accounting for 94% of total exports. The country has a high level of specialization in insect resins, soapstone, spice seeds, knotted carpets, and grapes.
What You'll Learn
Afghanistan's exports in 2022
Afghanistan's economy is relatively small, ranking as the 151st largest exporter in the world in 2022. That year, the country exported a total of $1.49 billion worth of goods, up from $1.24 billion in 2017. The top exports from Afghanistan in 2022 were coal briquettes ($337 million), raw cotton ($193 million), grapes ($156 million), insect resins ($126 million), and nuts ($113 million). The largest export partners for these goods were Pakistan ($847 million), India ($414 million), China ($41 million), the United Arab Emirates ($32.5 million), and Turkey ($29.4 million).
In the first eleven months of 2022, Afghanistan exported $1.7 billion worth of goods, with Pakistan and India being the two main export destinations, accounting for 65% and 20% of exports, respectively. Major exports during this period included vegetable products (56% of total exports), mineral products (28%), and textiles (10%).
In addition to goods, Afghanistan also exports services. In 2019, the country exported $652 million worth of services. The top service exports were other business services ($150 million), government services ($147 million), construction services ($111 million), transportation ($107 million), and personal travel ($69.5 million).
California Students in Afghanistan: A Lingering Educational Crisis
You may want to see also
Afghanistan's main trading partners
In terms of imports, Afghanistan's main trading partners in 2019 were Iran, China, Pakistan, the United States, and Turkmenistan. In 2022, the UAE was again the largest, followed by Kazakhstan, Pakistan, China, and Uzbekistan. Afghanistan's imports from the UAE in 2022 were valued at $1.22 billion, while imports from Pakistan and China were valued at $975 million and $551 million, respectively.
Afghanistan's trade partners are primarily located in Asia, with 97.1% of exports in 2019 going to Asian countries. The country has also been developing trade relations with Central Asian countries and Iran, and a new railway link with China via Central Asia is expected to boost exports. Afghanistan is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and seeks to benefit from transit trade through projects like the New Silk Road trade project.
Stinging Truths: Scorpion Presence in Afghanistan
You may want to see also
The country's top exports
Afghanistan's economy is largely driven by its agricultural, mineral, and textile exports, which account for 94% of its total exports. The country exported goods worth \$1.49 billion in 2022, making it the 151st largest exporter in the world.
The country's main trading partners include Pakistan, India, China, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Iran, and Iraq. In 2022, 97.1% of Afghanistan's exports went to Asian countries, with smaller percentages going to Europe, North America, Oceania, and Africa.
While Afghanistan's exports have declined in recent years due to various economic and political factors, the country's long-term growth prospects rely on a shift from reliance on international aid to a private sector-led economy that capitalizes on its inherent strengths in agriculture and extractive sectors.
The Afghan Conundrum: Examining the Necessity of War
You may want to see also
Products creating Afghanistan's best trade surpluses
Afghanistan's economy is largely driven by its agricultural, mineral, and textile exports, which account for 94% of its total exports. The country's exports have been growing, with a total of $1.49 billion in exports in 2022, up from $1.24 billion in 2017.
Fruits and Nuts
Fruits and nuts are one of Afghanistan's most valuable export categories, with a trade surplus of $60.6 million in 2022. The country is known for producing high-quality fruits, including pomegranates, grapes, sweet melons, and mulberries. In 2018, Afghanistan produced 984,000 tons of grapes, making it the 18th largest producer in the world.
Salt, Sulphur, Stone, and Cement
This category includes various building materials and minerals. In 2022, Afghanistan had a trade surplus of $7.9 million in this sector, reversing a $62.4 million deficit in the previous year.
Textile Floor Coverings
Afghanistan is known for its handwoven rugs, which are a popular export product. In 2022, the country had a trade surplus of $7.8 million in textile floor coverings, including carpets, a growth of 6.9% from 2021.
Raw Hides, Skins, and Leather
Afghanistan's exports of raw hides, skins, and leather generated a trade surplus of $5.3 million in 2022, a slight decrease of 0.4% from the previous year.
Wool
The country's wool exports created a trade surplus of $3.8 million in 2022, a decrease of 6.2% from the previous year.
Miscellaneous Animal-Origin Products
Afghanistan also has a trade surplus in miscellaneous animal-origin products, with exports generating $3.3 million in 2022, a decrease of 28.1% from the previous year.
While Afghanistan has seen a decline in its overall exports in recent years, these products continue to contribute positively to its trade balance.
Deadly Devices: IED Attacks Plague Afghanistan
You may want to see also
Afghanistan's biggest trade deficits
Afghanistan's economy is one of the least developed in the world, with a high unemployment rate and about half of its population living below the poverty line. The country's GDP is projected to fall to $5.79 billion for the 2025 financial year, with a GDP per capita of $142. The continuous war in the country has been a major factor in this, deterring business investors and disrupting economic activity.
In 2022, Afghanistan incurred an overall trade deficit of -US$1.95 billion, a decrease of -63.7% from the previous year. The country's exports dropped by -90.7% from 2021 to 2022, with the value of exported goods totalling US$184.3 million.
- Animal/vegetable fats, oils, and waxes: -US$428.8 million
- Milling products, malt, and starches: -$281.9 million
- Pharmaceuticals: -$154.4 million
- Mineral fuels including oil: -$153.6 million
- Electrical machinery and equipment: -$129.4 million
- Vehicles: -$98.6 million
- Rubber and rubber articles: -$95.9 million
- Machinery including computers: -$84.7 million
- Vegetables: -$51.1 million
- Manmade filaments: -$49.3 million
The Unconquerable Conflict: Afghanistan's Enduring War
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Afghanistan's main exports are agricultural, mineral and textile products, which account for 94% of total exports. In 2022, the country's top exports were coal briquettes, raw cotton, grapes, insect resins and other nuts.
In 2022, Afghanistan's exports were valued at $1.49 billion, making it the 151st largest exporter in the world.
Afghanistan's main export partners are Pakistan, India, China, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey.
Afghanistan's economy is the 155th largest in the world in terms of nominal gross domestic product (GDP). The country's GDP contracted by 20.7% in 2021 and a further 6.2% in 2022. Exports are, therefore, a vital part of the country's economy.
Afghanistan's economy faces several challenges, including a high unemployment rate, widespread poverty and a lack of infrastructure. The country also has a history of political instability, which has deterred business investors.
