Seedless variety: Kinnow exports likely to increase to $1bn

IQBAL MIRZA

KARACHI: With the introduction of seedless variety, Pakistan’s kinnow exports are expected to grow to $1 billion extra. Currently, world citrus market is around $2.135 billion, in which, Pakistan’s share has remained around 2.5 per cent, according to a statement issued by the Chief Executive Officer Harvest Tradings, Ahmad Jawad.

He said the country is losing kinnow market in European Union due to excessive seeds, as buyers seek seed-free fruit for easy eating but we are still having maximum three to five seeds in each fruit.

Research has, however, revealed that Europeans consider that max seeds cause stomach disorder as every seed of kinnow has a specific chemical material that sometimes disturbs the stomach.

Despite the fact Pakistan is the best kinnow producing country; it suffers from lack of value addition and support from the government.

“Neither the government nor the fruit association (PFVA) have taken measures to educate farmers about the latest techniques for producing fruits,” he said adding that Pakistani growers should learn from their Turkish counterparts who have captured the EU market well because of less seeds.

“Presently Pakistan has a yield of 8,000 kilogram per acre of land while it is 16,000 to 20,000 kg per acre as per world standards,” he added.

He mentioned that by using latest technology Pakistan could enhance its exports of fresh fruit. Currently, Pakistan has only 25 per cent pack able yield of fruit which is lowest in the world considering pack able ratio. Till date private sector is independently endeavoring to boost the Pakistani fruit.

He said that seed-less kinnow production on a large scale is not a big deal for our relevant authorities.

PARC and Punjab Agriculture department have jointly planted seedless kinnow in the district of Toba Tek Singh and Khanewal, so that we may separate the area of seedless kinnow with those having seeds.

Due to lack of business plan, kinnow exports during 2013-14 may not touch the level of the targets set during the last two years, he said.