Afghanistan’s river valleys and mountain terraces have supported fruit growing for centuries, shaping local diets and seasonal markets across provinces. Orchard rows, drying yards and village stalls reflect a long history of cultivation that still determines what appears on plates and in bazaars each month.
There are 22 Fruits of Afghanistan, ranging from Almond to Watermelon. Each entry includes Scientific name,Season (months),Main regions so you can quickly see where and when each fruit is harvested and how it fits into local production cycles — you’ll find those details below.
Which Afghan fruits are typically in season during summer?
Summer commonly brings apricots, peaches, plums, cherries, grapes, melons and watermelons, with exact timing varying by altitude and region (roughly June–August in lowland areas). Local markets shift quickly with the harvest, so checking regional harvest windows helps if you want peak flavor.
Are these fruits grown mainly for local consumption or for export?
Many are grown first for local and regional markets, but dried and processed products—like almonds, apricots, raisins and pistachios—are important export items. Fresh-fruit export depends on infrastructure and seasonality, while drying and preserving extend shelf life for trade.
Fruits of Afghanistan
| Name | Scientific name | Season (months) | Main regions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pomegranate | Punica granatum | Sep–Oct | Kandahar,Herat,central highlands |
| Apricot | Prunus armeniaca | May–Jul | Kabul,Herat,Badakhshan,northern provinces |
| Grape | Vitis vinifera | Aug–Oct | Kandahar,Herat,Balkh,Nangarhar |
| Apple | Malus domestica | Aug–Oct | Balkh,Kunduz,Baghlan,Kabul |
| Cherry | Prunus avium/cerasus | May–Jun | Kandahar,Kabul,Baghlan |
| Plum | Prunus domestica | Jul–Sep | Kabul,Herat,Kandahar |
| Peach | Prunus persica | Jun–Aug | Kandahar,Herat,Kabul |
| Pear | Pyrus communis | Aug–Oct | Kabul,Bamyan,Herat |
| Fig | Ficus carica | Jul–Sep | Herat,Kandahar,northern provinces |
| Melon | Cucumis melo | Jun–Sep | Herat,Kandahar,Nimroz |
| Watermelon | Citrullus lanatus | Jun–Sep | Helmand,Kandahar,Herat |
| Mulberry | Morus alba/nigra | May–Jun | Kabul,Herat,Kandahar |
| Quince | Cydonia oblonga | Oct–Nov | Kabul,Herat,Balkh |
| Walnut | Juglans regia | Sep–Oct | Bamyan,Kunduz,Kabul |
| Almond | Prunus dulcis | Aug–Sep | Herat,Kandahar,Balkh |
| Pistachio | Pistacia vera | Sep–Oct | Herat,Nimroz,Farah |
| Date | Phoenix dactylifera | Aug–Oct | Nimroz,Helmand,Kandahar |
| Mango | Mangifera indica | Jul–Sep | Nangarhar (Jalalabad),Kunar |
| Orange | Citrus sinensis | Nov–Mar | Nangarhar,Kunar,southern valleys |
| Lemon | Citrus limon | Nov–Mar | Nangarhar,Kunar,southern valleys |
| Jujube | Ziziphus jujuba | Oct–Nov | Kandahar,Helmand,northern plains |
| Barberry (Zereshk) | Berberis vulgaris | Sep–Oct | Ghazni,Bamyan,Kandahar |
Images and Descriptions
Pomegranate
Juicy, tart-sweet arils eaten fresh, in sauces and pilafs; a signature Afghan fruit. Available Sep–Oct from orchards in Kandahar, Herat and highland valleys. Notable for export-quality seeds and deep cultural importance in festivals and cuisine.
Apricot
Sweet to tangy stone fruit eaten fresh, dried and in preserves. Harvest runs May–Jul across Kabul, Herat and northeastern areas. Afghanistan is famous for flavorful dried apricots used in cooking and winter stores.
Grape
Table and raisin grapes come in sweet, aromatic varieties used fresh, dried or fermented. Harvest peaks Aug–Oct in Kandahar, Herat and northern plains. Grapes are central to local markets and traditional households.
Apple
Crisp to soft apples sold fresh or stored for winter; flavors range from tart to sweet. Picked Aug–Oct in northern and central orchards like Balkh and Kabul. Common household staple and market fruit.
Cherry
Sweet and sour cherries appear briefly in late spring, prized fresh and in desserts. Harvest May–Jun, notably in Kandahar and hill orchards near Kabul. Eaten fresh, dried or preserved for winter use.
Plum
Stone fruit ranging sweet to tart, used fresh, dried or cooked. Harvest Jul–Sep across central and western orchards. Plums are common in home gardens and local markets, often preserved for colder months.
Peach
Juicy, fragrant peaches available Jun–Aug, eaten fresh or canned. Grown in warmer valleys such as Kandahar and Herat and higher Kabul orchards. Valued for summer eating and homemade preserves.
Pear
Mildly sweet to buttery pears harvested Aug–Oct in cool highland orchards. Found around Kabul, Bamyan and Herat. Eaten fresh and stored; traditional fruit in autumn markets.
Fig
Honeyed, soft figs ripen Jul–Sep and are eaten fresh, dried or in preserves. Grown in Herat and southern valleys, they appear in summer markets and are often sun-dried for winter.
Melon
Fragrant cantaloupe and honeydew-style melons sweetest Jun–Sep. Major production in Herat, Kandahar and southwestern oases. Eaten fresh, often chilled, a summer market favorite and roadside staple.
Watermelon
Large, very sweet watermelons peak Jun–Sep in southern irrigated districts like Helmand and Kandahar and in Herat. Widely eaten fresh as a cooling summer treat at markets and gatherings.
Mulberry
Sweet, sometimes tart berries ripen May–Jun and are eaten fresh, dried or made into syrups. Mulberries grow as street and garden trees across Kabul, Herat and Kandahar, cherished for quick seasonal snacks.
Quince
Aromatic, firm fruit too astringent raw but excellent cooked into jams and stews. Harvest Oct–Nov from orchards in Kabul, Herat and northern provinces. Often used in sweet and savory traditional dishes.
Walnut
Hard-shelled nuts harvested Sep–Oct; kernels eaten raw, roasted or used in cooking. Grown in highland areas like Bamyan and around Kabul. Important winter staple and ingredient in many Afghan dishes.
Almond
Fragrant, slightly sweet nuts picked Aug–Sep from orchards in Herat, Kandahar and northern provinces. Eaten fresh, roasted or ground for sweets and sauces; valued for long shelf life and nutrition.
Pistachio
Small, flavorful nuts harvested Sep–Oct in western and southwestern provinces. Sold shelled or roasted; pistachios have long been collected and cultivated in arid Afghan landscapes and used in confections.
Date
Sweet, sticky dates ripen Aug–Oct in southern desert oases like Nimroz and Helmand. Eaten fresh or dried and central to local diets and hospitality, especially in hot, arid regions.
Mango
Fragrant, sweet tropical mangoes ripen Jul–Sep around Jalalabad and eastern valleys. Eaten fresh or in chutneys; local varieties are celebrated for intense aroma and summer availability in eastern markets.
Orange
Sweet oranges are a winter fruit, available Nov–Mar from small citrus groves in eastern valleys like Nangarhar. Sold in markets for fresh eating and juices; a seasonal vitamin-rich treat.
Lemon
Acidic, versatile lemons harvested Nov–Mar from eastern and sheltered southern groves. Used widely in cooking, preserves and drinks; small-scale citrus cultivation supplies winter market needs.
Jujube
Chewy-sweet to tart fruits ripen Oct–Nov; eaten fresh or dried. Grown wild and in gardens in Kandahar, Helmand and plains regions. Commonly used as a snack and traditional remedy.
Barberry (Zereshk)
Tart red berries harvested Sep–Oct, essential in dishes like zereshk polo. Grown in central and eastern provinces including Ghazni and Bamyan, used dried in rice dishes and savory cooking.
