Inputs, exports to propel a rise in mango prices

Prices of mango will remain high this year, primarily due to expensive inputs and recent hailstorms in various parts of the city. In addition, an increase in exports would also trigger a rise in mango prices domestically, stakeholders of the sector told Pakistan Today on Monday.
They said that mango prices in the international market has increased, which will attract growers to export their produce, thereby, helping Pakistan earn a handsome amount of foreign exchange. However, prices of the product in the local market might, therefore, rise. In addition, input prices have also swelled by around 20 to 25 percent compared to last year, which is likely to drive prices upwards. Last year, prices of mango ranged between Rs 40-60 per kg, while experts are forecasting that prices, this year, would range between Rs 50-75 per kg. Average mango production stayed at around two million tonnes. A bumper crop was expected this year; however, an unexpected change in weather and scarcity of water resulted in a decrease of crops. Moreover, this year, good export orders of around 0.3-0.4 million tonnes are plausible, which will impact the local market.
Pakistan used to export mango in different countries including Afghanistan, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Iran, Italy, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia and United Kingdom. For the first time in history, there will be exports of mango to USA. In 2010, sample consignments of 1,500 kilogram of dried mangoes were sent to major US retailers, including Whole Foods and Costco, for product feedback. “The feedback has been good and it is expected that we would get good orders,” said an exporter.
Agriculture Forum Chairman Ibrahim Mughal, while talking to Pakistan Today, said that certain reasons will take the prices of mango up. “Prices of fertiliser, diesel, electricity and other inputs are more than last year, while export targets are high; therefore it is expected that prices would remain high,” he said, adding that there are numerous reasons for high exports. “The shelve life of mangoes have increased through modern techniques and transportation through sea has improved, therefore, it has become easy to exportthe fruit,” he said. He maintained that Pakistan’s mango has the best taste in the whole world, which will spur good exports, as international buyers are keen to buy Pakistani mango. He said, last year, 0.3-0.4 million tonnes were exported and, this year, it would go beyond 0.5 million tonnes.
The Kisan Board Pakistan Deputy Secretary General Farooq Mayo said that Pakistani mango is being exported for the first time to USA. He said the crop has been good this year and growers would earn good prices, as there is surge of mango prices in the international market. “The crop in India remained below expectation, propelling a rise in international prices,” he added.
According to official data, Punjab contributes 1.5 million tonnes out of two million tonnes of mangoes produced in Pakistan. Multan tops the production with 450,000 tonnes, Rahim Yar Khan 400,000 tonnes and Muzafargarh contributes 250,000 tonnes.