Belarus Petroleum Exports to Afghanistan Increase 23-Fold in 2025
Sources from the Russian Commercial Center in Kabul reported that Belarus exported 381,000 tons of petroleum products to Afghanistan in 2025, a 23-fold increase from 16,000 tons in 2024.
The surge followed Afghanistan's announcement of new fuel quality standards, which banned imports of low-octane gasoline (Ai-80) and diesel with sulfur content exceeding 0.2 percent. These restrictions led to a sharp decline in petroleum purchases from Iran, redirecting Afghanistan's import market toward alternative suppliers including Belarus.
Separately, the Russian Oil and Gas Agency stated in January that Russia nearly doubled its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) exports to Central Asian countries and Afghanistan from January to November, reaching over 1,016,000 tons.
This increase came after the European Union imposed restrictions on Russian LPG imports in December of the previous year, prompting Moscow to shift portions of its exports to alternative markets in Central Asia and Afghanistan.
More in Economy
Spin Zar Company in Kunduz Doubles Sesame Oil Production
FAO forecasts dry weather across Afghanistan until early May
Turkmenistan President Prioritizes Completion of TAPI Pipeline's First Section by 2026
Deputy Administrative Affairs Head: Commercial Life Must Align with Islamic Sharia
ReliableSpin Zar Company in Kunduz Doubles Sesame Oil Production
Technical staff at Spin Zar company in Kunduz have doubled hourly sesame oil production through a locally built machine, according to technical manager Shahabuddin Hassanzada.
ReliableFAO forecasts dry weather across Afghanistan until early May
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) predicts dry weather without significant rain across most of Afghanistan until May 1, with elevated temperatures speeding up snow melt and threatening agriculture.
ReliableTurkmenistan President Prioritizes Completion of TAPI Pipeline's First Section by 2026
Former Turkmenistan President Qurbanquli Berdimuhamedov prioritizes completing the TAPI pipeline's first section to Herat, Afghanistan, by end of 2026, welcoming international involvement amid efforts to diversify gas exports.
ReliableDeputy Administrative Affairs Head: Commercial Life Must Align with Islamic Sharia
Maulvi Nazir Ahmad Nasser called for aligning Afghanistan's commercial practices with Islamic Sharia during a meeting to streamline business license issuance. Participants agreed to digitize the process, cancel security deposits, and enable online services.