The Ministry of Commerce allowed export of mangoes from May 25, said fruits and vegetable traders.
Through a notification issued by the ministry, the date for starting export of mangoes has been fixed this year to avoid losses through unplanned and premature export of the fruit, they said.
According to All-Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Importers-Exporters and Merchants Association (PFVA) Chairman Waheed Ahmed, the production of mangoes was being expected at 1.55 million tonnes while the export target of 0.175 million tonnes had been set for this year.
“Pakistan may fetch $60 million if the target is met,” he said.
Sindh was most affected by climatic hazards, facing 0.15 million tonnes fall in production with an estimated decline of 25 percent in 2013. The production of mangoes in Hyderabad, Tando Allayar, Mityari, Mirpur Khas and others parts of the province was badly affected which also delayed start of the season by around two weeks. Ahmed said with successful introduction in Japanese market in the past, a limited quantity of Pakistani mangoes would be commercially exported to Japan this year while the fruit will be processed through the existing pilot Vapor Heat Treatment (VHT) plant. In coordination with Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, PFVA would be promoting the processed fruit in the valued Japanese market.
International barriers on trade with Iran also declined Pakistan’s exports to that country, as Pakistani banks have stopped trade services with Iran, which previously was importing 30,000 tonnes of mangoes from Pakistan. The country has suffered a loss of $10 million for not exporting mangoes to Iran, said Ahmed, adding that illegal trade or smuggling via land routes was not benefiting the country in terms of revenue.
Besides, despite being approved for US market, mango exports to America on commercial basis could not take place due to the condition of treating mangoes at a radiation plant near Chicago and unavailability of a direct air-service. Treating/processing the fruit in US, according to Ahmed, not only costs more but also poses a higher risk for exporters. Besides, export of perishable items via sea routes was also not feasible to businessmen in the horticulture sector due to the lengthy transit time. The only way to tap the US market is to provide the radiation facility in Pakistan, preferably in Karachi and Multan.
Exports to Australia could also not begin because of a quarantine issue. Though an Australian quarantine team had visited the facilities & orchards in Pakistan to check the quality of the fruit for their market, no development was made in this regard. The Ministry of Commerce and other concerned authorities should move to approach Australian authorities concerned to tap that market, Ahmed said.
