The Afghan raisin farming business is returning after being decimated several decades ago when war arrived in that country, disrupting everything. At its peak, Afghanistan produced 86,000 metric tons of raisins annually, equivalent to 10% of the world production of the dried fruit. Today, the Afghan market represents 3% of the world’s production of raisins.

Geographic reference: Afghanistan
Year: 2008 and 2009
Market size: Approximately 27,500 metric tons each year.
Source: “New Hope for Afghan Raisin Farmers,” The New York Times, October 9, 2010, page B1.