Pakistani mangoes are likely to face difficult market in the US this season, unless the United States allows pre-shipment irradiation in Pakistan. Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Member Export Ahmad Jawad indicated that India had been offered the same facility and it was irradiating its mangos in India under the supervision of a US inspector.
He said the facility was developed and funded by the Indian government and the US inspector checked every shipment for compliance to US standards before the consignment could be shipped. As against this, Pakistani mangoes had to be irradiated at a plant in Iowa, USA. This facility cannot be availed because commercial shipments in sizeable quantities are unviable, he maintained.
