AIBAK - Grape production has increased by 20 percent in northern Samangan province this year, officials and growers say.
But growers resent a decline in grape prices and a custom duty hike by the government of neighbouring Pakistani.
Commercial grape gardens are located in the Feroz Nakhchar and Hazrat Sultan districts of the province.
Deputy Director of Agriculture Mohammad Osman Hanafi told Pajhwok Afghan News the yield grape gardens on 7,400 jirabs of land totaled 25,000 metric tonnes.
The production showed a 20 percent increase over last year, he said, adding a kilogram of grapes accounted for 18 afghanis, compared with last year’s price of 23 afs.
He linked the low price to the high custom duty by Pakistan on Afghan fruits.
Nasratullah, a grape merchant, complained of lack of the cold storage facility and high taxes by Pakistan. The duty also harmed pomegranate exports from Kandahar. (Pajhwok)