The Taliban’s Ministry of Finance says that after increasing customs tariffs on imported flour, wheat imports to Afghanistan have risen by 345 percent.
In a statement released by the ministry’s public relations office, it said the measure was taken to support domestic production and strengthen the flour-processing industry.
According to the statement, customs tariffs on wheat imports were reduced last year, while the tariff on flour was increased from 5 percent to 8 percent in order to encourage and support local production.
The ministry added that following the implementation of the new tariff policy, wheat imports into the country increased significantly, leading to expanded operations of flour production factories and a rise in domestic production.
According to the figures, during the months of Hoot and Hamal in the 1405 fiscal year, around 198,000 tons of wheat were imported into Afghanistan, while during the same period in 1403 and 1404, the figure was only 44,000 tons.
The Ministry of Finance said this change reflects a 345 percent increase in wheat imports and expressed hope that the capacity of domestic production factories, job opportunities, and the share of local products would increase further.
Afghanistan needs millions of tons of wheat every year, part of which is produced domestically, while the remainder is imported from foreign countries.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
