Taliban Deputy PM office for Economic Affairs: 60% of flour is produced domestically

KABUL: The office of the Taliban’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs has announced that Afghanistan currently produces 60% of its flour needs domestically. In a statement released on Monday, the office noted that there are 200 flour production factories operating in the country, employing 2,500 individuals permanently. The statement highlighted that approximately $150 million has been invested in these factories. Afghanistan requires around 6 million tons of flour annually, with 3.5 million tons produced within the country. Additionally, the statement mentioned that of the 3.5 million tons of domestically produced flour, 1 million tons come from factories, while the remainder is produced in local mills. According to the statement, the Taliban has reduced tariffs on wheat imports to strengthen and support the flour sector and has imposed a ban on the smuggling of wheat out of the country.