USAID project: first vegetables consignment shipped to Dubai via sea

In a bid to enhance the exports of vegetable by reducing the cost, Pakistan has shipped first consignment of select vegetables to Dubai via sea rout on an experimental basis. With export via sea route, exporters can save Rs 75 per kilogramme as there is huge difference of freight fare in sea. Air route as air shipped cost of vegetable is Rs 80 per kilogram compared to only Rs 5 per kg through the sea route.
The first-ever consignment of nine select vegetables including tomato, brinjal, cucumber, carrot, okra, long melon, etc, weighing seven tons have been shipped to Dubai on Monday, 20th February under the Agricultural Market Development (AMD) project of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
According to Waheed Ahmed, patron in chief of Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchant Association (PFVA), the export of vegetable via sea route will not only drastically reduce the cost of the project but also enable exporters to tap more markets in Emirates and Gulf countries. Consignment shipped via sea route will reach Dubai within three to four days.
"As India has already been using the sea route for export of highly competitive fresh products to Middle Eastern markets, Pakistan will also be able to compete in the market of vegetable and horticulture products, in case the experiment of sea freight proves successful," he added.
He said exporters will use the route commercially to export fruit and vegetable to Dubai, which is a destination of at least 35 percent Pakistani vegetables, after observing the response of the first consignment shipped on February 20. Waheed lauded the efforts of AMD of USAID and Pakistan Plant Protection Department for striving to boost the value chain and marketing of fruits and vegetables.
The consignment of nine vegetables was earlier grown, processed and packed under the supervision of experts from AMD-USAID at a pack house in Gharo, Sindh. The process was monitored by Dr Mubarak Ahmed, former DG Plant Protection and Dr Waqar Ahmed of AMD-USAID's Value Chain.
Dr Mubarak said that being cost-effective, the processing and packaging as per the requirement of shipment via sea route has become common practice in the world. This way Pakistan can boost its export of fresh vegetables and fruits. Peter Dickrell, Chief of Party, AMD Project, has also congratulated PFVA for the successful shipment saying this project would open up new doors for growers, exporters, processors and all the other stakeholders of the industry. He said under the AMD project five exporters of Pakistan will receive the consignment at Dubai and display the vegetables at upcoming Gulf Food Festival.