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HERAT, Afghanistan – Construction has officially begun on a $5 million international produce market in the Jaghara area of Injil district, western Afghanistan, marking a major private sector investment in the country’s agricultural infrastructure.
The project, located in Herat province, is being funded by three private investors and is scheduled for completion within six months. Once operational, it is expected to become the first international-standard fruit and vegetable trade hub in Afghanistan’s western region.
Project Scale and Infrastructure
The Herat international market spans 65 jeribs (approximately 13 hectares) and will be developed in four phases. Key features include:
- 600 standardized commercial shops
- Cold storage facilities with a combined capacity exceeding 10,000 metric tons
- A central mosque
- Large parking areas designed for transit and cargo trucks
- Dedicated green spaces
The large-scale cold storage capacity is expected to enhance Afghanistan’s post-harvest management and significantly reduce agricultural losses — a persistent challenge in the country’s supply chain.
Economic Impact and Job Creation in Herat
According to lead investor Esmatullah Jahani, dozens of workers are currently employed during the construction phase. Upon completion, the project is projected to generate at least 1,000 direct jobs and thousands of indirect employment opportunities.
Officials say the new facility will help transform Herat into a more structured regional trade hub, strengthening Afghanistan’s agricultural value chain and supporting long-term economic recovery.
Strengthening Afghanistan’s Fruit Export Capacity
Herat, strategically located near the border with Iran, plays a key role in Afghanistan’s agricultural exports. Every year, millions of dollars worth of fresh and dried fruits are exported from Herat to global markets, including the United States, Europe, India, Iran, and several Arab countries.
However, limited market infrastructure and inadequate cold storage systems have long constrained export growth.
The new international produce market is specifically designed to facilitate large-scale loading and unloading of both domestic and imported fruits, including trade flows from neighboring Pakistan. Officials say the facility will create a standardized marketplace that connects Afghan producers with international demand more efficiently.
A Milestone for Private Agricultural Investment in Afghanistan
As the first international-level fruit and vegetable market project in the sector, the Herat development reflects growing private sector engagement in Afghanistan’s agricultural investment landscape.
Analysts note that strengthening cold storage infrastructure and organized wholesale markets is critical for increasing Afghanistan’s fruit exports, improving price stability for farmers, and integrating the country more deeply into regional supply chains.
If completed on schedule, the Herat international produce market could become a pivotal logistics and trade center in western Afghanistan.
