Afghan farmers turn their grapes into raisins after border closures slash fruit exports to Pakistan

Despite a plentiful grape harvest in Kandahar, border closures between Afghanistan and Pakistan have prevented producers from accessing their primary export market. Unable to sell fresh fruit, many farmers are drying grapes into raisins, but even these products face significant price drops. Producers warn that this situation is causing immense economic hardship and urge the opening of trade routes.