Just a few more weeks from now, even the sweltering heat of the summer will not be able to keep Pakistanis from partying; enjoying mango parties that is! The local mango harvest is expected to commence from the end of May, which means that within a few days, fruit vendors will have the king of fruits stacked up on carts at every corner of cities and towns.
The total production of mangos in the country is expected to be somewhat depressed compared to last year. Co-chairman, All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetables Exporters, Importers and Merchant Association (PFVA) Waheed Ahmed told BR Research, "climatic conditions have had a negative impact on the cultivation of mangos in Hyderabad, Tando Allahyar, Mirpurkhas, Multan, Rahimyar Khan, Muzaffargarh and other areas this year, and we expect the production to be limited to about 1.2 million tons as compared to 1.7 million tons produced last season".
Exporters aim to sell at least 0.15 million tons of the fruit abroad and expect to fetch about $50 million through these sales. Last year this target had been set at 0.17 million tons which was not achieved and about 0.134 million tons of mangos were exported from the country.
Growers and exporters were able to gain some inroads to international markets with the help of TDAP, last year. Mangos tested at a VHT facility on the outskirts of Karachi were approved for export to Japan by that countrys competent authorities. However, the local industry has not been able to capitalise on this approval as the existing VHT facility does not have sufficient capacity to support commercial operations.
Similarly, exports of mangos to the United States are also on hold until a quarantine facility can be established in Pakistan. That country has also set out a tedious procedure for allowing the sale of Pakistans honey mangos, which is a strong deterrent for prospective exporters in the country.
Adding insult to injury, Pakistani mangos are also losing their footing in the established market of Iran where they had been exported in recent years. "The international sanctions against Iran are keeping our mango exports out of that country" explained Waheed Ahmed.
In present and prospective export markets, sales of Pakistani mangos are being hindered by time lags caused by quarantine, inspection and logistical operations. One local company has succeeded in treating mangos to extend their shelf life to up to 90 days. Government support for such technology can help boost the marketability of Pakistans fruit produce by giving marketers a longer time period in which they can ship and stock the king of fruits in various international markets.
Comments
Comments are closed for this article.