Pakistan's Onion Exports Fall 14 Percent Due to Trade Delays with Afghanistan

Pakistani onion exports decreased by 14 percent in the first nine months of fiscal year 2026, falling to 559,200 tons from 658,700 tons in the same period the year before.

The fall in exports has been attributed to higher transport and insurance costs, trade delays with Afghanistan, closed transit routes to Central Asia and the global crisis. Economic analysts say trade delays with Afghanistan and the closure of transit routes to Central Asian countries are the main reasons for the decline.

The analysts blame what they call Pakistan's military regime's misguided policies for the problems, with farmers and people who depend on income from onion exports bearing the cost. Higher costs for transport and insurance have added to the financial strain on exporters.

Trade delays with Afghanistan have slowed down the movement of goods, affecting the onion trade in particular. The closure of transit routes has limited access to markets in Central Asia, which are important for Pakistani exports. The global crisis has also played a part in reducing the overall export volume.

These combined factors have led to the significant drop in the amount of onions being exported from Pakistan. The impact is being felt by the farmers who grow the onions and the traders who sell them abroad. The analysts' view is that the policies pursued by the military regime are misguided and have led to this outcome for the sector.