15 Tonnes of Pakistani Lemons Sent Back by Afghanistan Due to Infested Quality

Afghanistan has returned 15 tonnes of imported Pakistani lemons after they were found to be infected with lemon canker and deemed unfit for consumption.

According to Afghan media, Provincial Director of Agriculture Maulvi Wali Mohsin instructed Afghan traders to ensure only high-quality and healthy fruits and vegetables are imported, in line with Islamic Emirate regulations, to protect consumers and markets from harm.

A statement from Nangarhar’s Department of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock said the imported Pakistani lemons were infested with insects and sent back by the quarantine administration. Officials noted that similar substandard consignments have been returned to Pakistan through the Torkham border multiple times in the past.

Experts describe canker as a dangerous disease that affects woody plants, especially citrus fruits. It damages fruit growth, with kinnow and lemon being the most vulnerable. Severe infections cause leaves to drop, shoots to dry, and fruits to fall prematurely. Infected fruits often lose market value or become completely unsellable. The disease is caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri and is present in many citrus-producing countries, including Pakistan. Its severity varies with plant type, vegetation, and weather conditions.

In a related move to safeguard public health, Afghan authorities have also recently taken action against poor-quality medicine imports. Sharafat Zaman, spokesperson for the Afghan Ministry of Public Health, said in May that officials blocked the entry of illegal drugs across the borders. Ten containers of unregistered and low-quality medicines from Pakistan were returned.

“We are planning to establish laboratories at border crossings to test imported medicines and allow entry only after confirming they meet the required standards,” the Health Ministry spokesperson added.

Afghan officials have reiterated their commitment to enforcing strict quality checks on imports to ensure that agricultural products and medicines entering the country are safe, healthy, and compliant with national regulations.