Iran-Afghanistan Milak border crossing reopened

The border crossing was closed and reopened several times in the past few weeks due to a strike by Afghan truckers and their blockade of the return route of Iranian trucks and the Iranian retaliation, IRNA reported.

Milak border terminal was first reopened earlier this month after a week of closure when over 70 Iranian truckers returned to the country; however, Afghan truck drivers once again closed the crossing in Afghanistan’s Nimruz Province and Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan Province only a couple of days after it was reopened.

According to data released by IRICA, Iran exported 1.06 million tons of commodities worth $341 million to Afghanistan during March 20-May 20.

Exports from Iran to Afghanistan witnessed a 3.5 percent rise in weight and an eight percent decline in value compared to last year’s corresponding period.

According to IRICA, major commodities exported to Afghanistan during the period included fruits and vegetables, foodstuffs, industrial goods, and construction materials.

Tomatoes topped the list of exports, with over $26 million, followed by iron bars with $23 million, followed by pastry and chocolate, with $10.2 million, oil derivatives with $8 million, cream with $7.67 million, urea with $7.6 million, cement with $7.61 million, fruit juice with $6.5 million, watermelon with $6 million and apples with $5.8 million.