KARACHI: Pakistan has rerouted kinnow orange exports to the Gulf and Southeast Asia after the closure of the Afghan market disrupted one of the country’s largest traditional destinations for the citrus crop, the commerce ministry said on Monday, underscoring a push to diversify export markets amid regional security tensions.
The shift follows Pakistan’s closure of major border crossings with Afghanistan in late 2025 after deadly clashes and a sharp rise in militant attacks that Islamabad says originated from Afghan territory. Pakistan has linked the restrictions to concerns over cross-border militancy, saying trade routes would remain constrained until Kabul takes credible steps to curb militant activity, a charge Afghan authorities deny.
Before the shutdown, bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan exceeded $1.6 billion annually, with overland routes playing a crucial role in the export of perishables such as kinnow, a Pakistani variety of mandarin orange. Exporters have warned that prolonged border disruptions particularly hurt citrus shipments during the winter harvest, forcing consignments to seek longer and costlier alternative routes.
Despite the disruption, the Ministry of Commerce said exporters successfully redirected shipments to other destinations.
