Multan Mango Grower Association President Maj (R) Tariq told APP the US had allowed mango exports after 64 years and USAID was working to promote the mango industry in Pakistan.

He said that they had exported three consignments to the US last year by PIA flights from Lahore.

He said that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) had allowed Pakistan to send mangoes to Chicago only but PIA suspended the Lahore-Chicago flight which created hurdles in mango exports.

"The USDA also permitted Pakistan to send mangoes via Dubai to Chicago. Emirates and Ittehad flights fly through Dubai but the airlines were reluctant to carry perishable goods like mangoes, fruit and vegetables to the US," he added.

"Mango growers are facing problems due to the recommended route. Flights to Chicago are available on other routes but USDA has banned other routes for the export of the fruit.

Exports worth $3.5 million from the Latifabad mango farm have been suspended over the issue," he added.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2012