According to Iranian officials, trade between the two countries exceeds $3 billion annually. This would make Afghanistan Iran’s second largest economic partner after Iraq.
The CEO of the Dogharoun Free Trade-Industrial Zone emphasized that Iranian export goods reach Afghanistan’s 40-million-person market through the region’s border crossing. He noted that 90% of Iran’s exports to Afghanistan are transported via Dogharoun to Herat province.
Mohammad Nabi Afghan, an economic analyst, told “Our trade with Iran is one-sided. Iran and other regional countries focus on selling their goods to us without buying anything from us. If Iran and countries like it want trade to grow, they should not look for alternative routes but trade directly with us.”
Meanwhile, the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) confirmed that Afghanistan’s exports to Iran are far less than imports, and improving transit and transportation conditions is essential for boosting exports.
Khanjan Alokozai, a board member of the chamber, said: “Our trade with Iran reaches $3 billion annually—that figure is accurate. Our imports are high and exports low, mainly because Iran already produces much of what we have to offer. There is no serious barrier, and our exports to Iran can exceed $50 million.”
Afghan traders also stress the need to resolve transportation challenges. They believe that if these issues are addressed, Iran can become a significant market for Afghan goods.
Omid Haidari, a trader, said: “We urge the Afghan government to secure practical commitments from Iran. Just as Afghanistan provides a good market for Iran, Iran should also offer opportunities for Afghan exports and support Afghan farmers. This would enable us to export to Iran and also use it as a transit route.”
Afghanistan’s main exports to Iran include mineral stones, raisins, non-alcoholic beverages, vegetable seeds, sesame, and mung beans. Imports from Iran primarily consist of diesel, petrol, raw materials for factories, liquefied gas, auto parts, and machinery.