Production at a salt-processing plant in Ghazni province in central Afghanistan has fallen by 90%, its managers say. The plant used to process 200 to 300 sacks of salt a day but now turns out only 20 to 30.
Bashir Ahmad, a manager at the plant, said workers were now called in only once every three or four days. "We process 20 or 25 sacks a day, at most 30," he said. "We face many problems."
Other local industries are also struggling. Siyar Ahmad, a manager at a mineral water bottling plant, said it employed 20 to 25 workers in previous years, but only six to eight this year.
Manufacturers say limited access to markets is making it harder to sell locally made goods on top of their production difficulties. Hamidullah Munib, who manages a paint factory, urged the authorities to raise tariffs on imports, saying his products met international standards.
Hussaindad Rezaei, who runs a carpet business, said local weavers make handmade carpets from sheep's wool but struggle to find buyers. Manufacturers called on the authorities to fix electricity problems, provide industrial parks and help Afghan-made goods reach markets.