Officials from Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) on Tuesday said that the export of Afghan spices and herbs has significantly increased this year, earning the country over $144 million USD.

Liquorice, cumin and saffron are among the main export items in this sector.

Meanwhile, officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) have said that the ministry is planning new programs to help increase the cultivation of valuable herbs and spices in the country so that Afghanistan can continue to increase exports.

According to ACCI, most of the spices and herbs are exported to China, India and some other Asian markets.

ACCI says that the exports of Afghan spices and herbs to Indian markets increased after the inauguration of the air cargo corridor between the two countries.

Based on ACCI statistics, this year Afghanistan has exported over 32,000 tons of herbs to international markets.

“Our saffron export is expected to be five tons. This year we exported eight tons of cumin. We expect a significant increase until the end of the year and also the export of liquorice is expected to be an estimated 20,000 tons,” said Mir Zaman Popal, head of ACCI export development department.

MAIL officials claim that the ministry has restored over 100 hectares of grasslands in the country where herbs are found in large numbers.

“We will create unions in different provinces to identity the medicinal herbs to increase production,” said Akbar Rustami, MAIL spokesman.

Herb and spice exports make up over 25 percent of Afghanistan’s exports.

Liquorice (which is the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra plant) makes up the biggest part of the herb market.

According to officials, last year Afghanistan earned $54 million through the export of liquorice which totaled 20,000 tons.

Last year, the overall amount of money Afghanistan received from medicinal herbs was over $167 million USD.