ISLAMABAD: Kinnow exports have showed a rapid increase during the current season as about 250,000 tons of kinnow (mandarin) exported so far from the country.
Besides, the exports of other fruit and vegetables, exports of potatoes also witnessed significant increase as about 59,000 metric tons of potatoes exported during current season, said an official in Ministry of National Food Security and Research.
Talking to APP here on Thursday, he said that despite several challenges, Pakistan has met its kinnow export targets of 300,000 tons during last year and it is expected that the exports would cross the set targets during current season.
He said that government has taken several measures to increase quality and pest free production for enhancing fruit and vegetable exports particularly to European Union (EU) countries.
A comprehensive work plane was worked out in collaboration with all stakeholders and taken steps for the capacity building, awareness campaign, registration of fruit fly free mango orchards and hot waster treatment to increase exports.
Resultantly, he said that Pakistan was ranked 4th in mango exports in the world with only 2 quarantine pest interception as compared to 236 inceptions of last year.
Over all quantum of mango exports has increased from 61,484 tons to 92,000 tons during last season where as clean mango nurseries were established besides improving orchard management practices and integrated management of field diseases, he added.
Pakistan, he said being the top ranked producer of good mangoes has been exporting mangoes to around 57 countries and earn significant foreign exchange where as overall quantum of mango exports has been increased to 92,000 metric tons.
To further enhance the exports of fruits from the country more then 400 growers, researchers, extension workers have been trained for orchard and nurseries management in Punjab and Sidnh provinces, he added.
He further said that pre-harvest mango production technology developed, printed out and disseminated to more than 4,000 beneficiaries and production technology has been demonstrated in 50 orchards in Punjab and Sindh which were benefiting over 400 growers.
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