June 26, 2021
Afghan cherries have recovered from near extinction thanks to new cultivars and improved orchard management.
The stonefruit, which was once in high demand, was nearly wiped out amid decades of war and famine beginning in the late 1970s. However, with the introduction of new cultivars, improved orchard management techniques, and an expanded supply chain network, cherry is on the rise.
Jabarkhel Ahmadi is capitalizing on the increased demand for cherries, both in Afghanistan and internationally.
“The current crop looks promising, and demand is increasing year after year,” said Nasir Ahmad Jabarkhel, the company’s CEO.
The Kabul-based firm works with both small-scale farmers and big producers, offering full-service product cleaning, packaging, labeling, and export.
According to him, Afghan farmers are planting more cherry orchards than ever before due to the increased demand for the fruit.
Mahaleb and Gisela 5 are two common rootstocks. Burlat, Santina, Stella, Black Star, Grace Star, and Bing are the most prevalent of the 22 cherry varieties.
Cherries demand colder growth conditions and are common in the provinces of Paghman, Wardak, Kabul, and Panjshir. They begin to ripen in mid-May and are picked until the end of June. The cherries are packaged in 500-700g plastic containers and 5kg crates by the manufacturer.
Jabarkhel Ahmadi has been exporting fresh cherries, apples, melons, grapes, apricots, and pomegranates for six years. India, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar are the key markets for these products.
The biggest market for Afghan cherries is India, and Jabarkhel stated that the company is interested in expanding into new markets in the future year.
Jabarkhel Ahmadi, on the other hand, has not been immune to the challenges posed by Covid-19.
“I had planned to tour nations and possible partners for my company’s products, but because of pandemic limitations, I was unable to travel,” Jabarkhel added. “It was nearly impossible to find new buyers during the pandemic.”
However, with markets reopening, Jabarkhel anticipates a rise in cherry volume next season. He notes that many farmers in Afghanistan’s high-altitude locations are turning to cherry as a profitable new addition to their plantations. The increased commercial output will enable his organization to execute larger contracts in the future.
“The taste and quality of fresh Afghan fruits are in high demand on the worldwide market, and our company is prepared to export and make deals for next year’s fruit season,” Jabarkhel explained.