Exports of 145,000 tonnes mangoes could be increased to 250,000 tonnes in the next two to three years to different countries with the availability of latest hot water technology and state-of-the-art world’s two biggest processing plants.
These plants would help earn handsome foreign exchange for the national kitty and expansion of modern agro-based sector of the country.
This was stated by Durrani Associates CEO Dr AQ Durrani in a press briefing.
He said Pakistan could enhance its mango exports manifold in next three years because the production of mangoes stands at 1.8 million per year in the country. The hot water is not a new technology in the world to maintain the freshness of fruit and vegetable up to seven days but technology of hot water in Pakistan, which has been developed by Durrani Associates keeps the fruit and vegetable fresh up to 40 days, he added.
At present, the technology including processing and exporting mangoes could be kept fresh for 40 days as its pulp is made free from nine bacteria elements through temperature at 47 degrees Celsius. Durrani Associates has introduced Pakistan’s mangoes in seven new markets in the last two years including Iran, Mauritius, South Korea, Jordan, Lebanon and China.
South Korea and Mauritius markets have started exporting mangoes in the recent summer whereas the exports of mango will start to Australia in coming days. Currently, there are two plants of Durrani Associates, which are biggest in the world as far as hot water technology is concerned. One plant processes 15 tonnes mango per hour and second 10 tonnes per hour. The third biggest plant in Mexico processes 4.5 tonnes per hour. “Our products are subjected to stringent quality control that is carried out during its several stages of production, processing packaging and export. Durrani Associates carries out treatment of mangoes from two stages – Pre-Harvesting and Post-Harvesting,” Durrani added.
Pakistan is the country in which 40 percent quantity of mango gets rotten due to non-availability of proper storage but it could utilise its mangoes for exports purposes through using processing technology for preserving mangoes.
Pakistan’s mangoes — sindhri and chonsa — are delicious in taste and aroma. Its demand is growing across the globe. Secondly, Durrani Associates uses sophisticated ships for exporting mangoes, which gives it an edge to compete with different countries through control cost of doing business. No doubt as exports of mangoes will be increased to different countries, the country will receive substantial foreign exchange and farmers will be empowered financially paving the way towards increasing contribution to gross domestic product by agriculture industry. He said Durrani Associates wants to expand its network in all provinces in this regard but it needs support of the government to set up plants on the model of joint-venture and provide all available resources through engaging different stakeholders in the agro-based sector particularly farmers, cold storage owners, required ships and carriers.
