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ÂÒÂ׺£½Ç the Project

Afghanistan’s raisin farmers used to supply snacks for people around the world. For many decades through the 1970s, the country claimed about 20 percent of the global market for raisins. But years of conflict and political instability contributed to a decline in production volumes and quality, and farmers lost market share—as well as income.

Today, less than 40 percent of Afghan raisins are exported. These are traded at deep discounts compared with those from neighboring countries because they fall short of international quality and food safety standards.

The Rikweda Fruit Processing Company aims to help Afghanistan reclaim its status as a world-class raisin producer and exporter. With support from ÂÒÂ׺£½Ç and IFC, Rikweda has built a greenfield raisin processing plant with a production capacity of 15,000 tons per annum. IFC will invest US$3 million in financing to support the project, while ÂÒÂ׺£½Ç has provided a first-loss guarantee of up to $1.25 million. The project will create a market for high-quality, locally processed Afghan raisins and is expected to double Afghanistan’s raisin processing capacity as well as link the country’s raisin supply chain to global markets. Rikweda is also seeking support from USAID to employ women under the Women in Economy program, which will contribute to the company’s staffing needs at the processing facility.