UK-Afghanistan Trade Drops to £70 Million as Bilateral Commerce Slows

UK–Afghanistan Trade Records a Year-on-Year Decline

Trade between the United Kingdom and Afghanistan contracted over the 12 months ending June 2026, with the total value of goods and services exchanged between the two countries reaching £70 million.

The latest figures from the UK Department for Business and Trade show a 16.7% decline compared with the previous 12-month period. The reduction represents £14 million less in bilateral trade, indicating a slowdown in commercial activity between the two markets.

The figures were included in the department’s updated trade and investment factsheets, published on 6 November 2026. 

For businesses involved in UK-Afghanistan commerce, the latest data provides an important snapshot of the trading relationship and the sectors contributing to it.

UK Exports to Afghanistan Fall to £57 Million

The UK remained the larger exporter in the bilateral trading relationship during the reporting period.

British exports of goods and services to Afghanistan totalled £57 million, down 18.6%—a reduction of £13 million compared with the previous year.

The main UK export categories included:

• Beverages
• Pharmaceutical products
• Dairy products
• Road vehicles
• Industrial machinery

These categories reflect the range of goods and services supplied by UK businesses to the Afghan market. The figures may be relevant to companies assessing demand for imported products, although the total export value alone does not show the performance of each individual product category.

Afghan Exports to the UK Total £13 Million

Imports from Afghanistan into the UK reached £13 million over the same 12-month period, representing a 7.1% decline.

Vegetables and fruit were among Afghanistan’s leading goods exports to the British market, with a reported value of £1.7 million. Clothing and textile fabrics were also identified among the main Afghan products exported to the UK.

For Afghan exporters, these product categories point to existing commercial links with the UK. However, businesses seeking to expand their presence in Britain need to consider more than demand alone. Product standards, labelling, logistics, buyer requirements and consistency of supply can all influence whether an export opportunity becomes a sustainable business relationship.

Goods and Services Make Up Different Shares of Trade

The report shows that UK-Afghanistan trade was not limited to physical products.

Trade category	Value	Share of total trade
Goods	£32 million	45.7%
Services	£38 million	54.3%
Total	£70 million	100%

Services accounted for a slightly larger share of the overall trading relationship than goods. This distinction matters because trade discussions often focus primarily on physical exports and imports, while services also contribute to commercial activity between countries

The figures do not, by themselves, identify which services experienced growth or decline. A more detailed breakdown would be needed to assess individual service sectors.

Afghanistan Remains a Small Share of UK Trade

Afghanistan ranked as the United Kingdom’s 166th-largest trading partner during the 12 months ending June 2026. The country accounted for less than 0.1% of the UK’s total trade. 

This ranking places the bilateral relationship within a relatively small share of Britain’s international commerce. It also highlights the importance of looking at specific sectors and products when assessing commercial opportunities, rather than relying only on the overall trade value.

For businesses in both countries, the figures can serve as a starting point for examining where existing trade is concentrated and whether there are opportunities to develop additional commercial links.

What the Latest Figures Mean for Businesses

The decline in UK-Afghanistan trade is a useful indicator of the current scale and direction of bilateral commerce. However, the headline figure should not be interpreted as evidence that every sector or product category is contracting.

The data provides several points for businesses to consider:

UK suppliers: Companies exporting to Afghanistan may want to review demand in their product categories and assess whether their current distribution and customer networks remain suitable.

Afghan exporters: Businesses selling into the UK can examine established export categories such as fruit, vegetables, clothing and textiles while assessing buyer requirements and market access conditions.

Importers and distributors: The breakdown between goods and services shows that commercial opportunities may extend beyond physical product supply.

Trade and business organisations: The figures offer a basis for further research into product-level trends, potential partners and the barriers affecting bilateral commerce.

These are business considerations drawn from the reported figures, rather than claims that the data identifies the causes of the decline.

A Closer Look at UK-Afghanistan Trade

The latest UK government figures show that trade in goods and services between the United Kingdom and Afghanistan fell to £70 million in the 12 months ending June 2026. UK exports accounted for £57 million, while imports from Afghanistan totalled £13 million.

Although the overall value declined, the report also highlights the continued presence of Afghan products – including fruit, vegetables, clothing and textiles – in the British market.

For companies exploring trade between the two countries, the next step is to examine more detailed product-level statistics and identify relevant buyers, suppliers and distribution partners.

Explore business listings and trade opportunities through Afghan Trade Center to discover companies and support your research into potential commercial partnerships.