Pakistan starts mango export tomorrow

Published: May 19, 2015

With an export target of 0.1 million tones, Pakistan is going to start export of mango by May 20 this year. Applying new measures to ensure quality exports 10 percent increase in export of the fruit is expected this year with an estimated jump in revenue by 20 to 25 percent.
The production of 1.8 million tones of mango is being forecast this year despite huge losses made to the fruit due to climatic hazards in upper Punjab. The climatic changes like rain, thunder storm, and prolonged winter season have badly affected the crop in Punjab causing collectively 30 to 35 percent decline in mango production from the province against its share of 64 percent in the country.
According to Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchant Association (PFVA) the better revenue and enhanced volume of export will be possible after the ban on wooden crates for exporting the perishable item.
Chairman PFVA Research and Development, Waheed Ahmed said, $60 million worth revenue is expected with 0.1 million tones export of mango this year as compare to 94000 tones of worth $48 million recorded last year.
Mango production in Rahim Yar Khan, Muzaffar Garh and Multan is expected to face reduction by 25, 50 and 60 percent respectively this year. However, the crop in Sindh is comparatively safe where only 10 percent slid is expected in its share of 35 percent of the country’s mango production.
Country can easily export mango worth $100 million during next three years by applying internationally recognised standard of packaging of quality fruit produced through introduction of modern farming practices. The increase in revenue will definitely go the growers, the ultimate beneficiaries of this crop, Waheed added.
According to him, against the traditional shops and outlets, mango in the West, Gulf & Fareast countries is being sold at big super stores and markets with better quality and attractive presentation. 
However, Pakistani mango may lose considerable in such markets and stores if the fruit is not displayed in the markets with the required presentation and packaging.
He informed that export cost has comparatively increased this year mainly because of the measures taken to ensure quality export which included the 25 percent payment to farms in advance, covering each mango with safety bags and finally strict ban on use of wooden crates for export of the fruit. 
Applying these measures highly valued fruit could be export this time. 
Waheed termed the fresh steps as initiatives towards value addition of the fruit. The use of wooden crates was causing 10 to 15 percent losses to exported mango. 
In the modern packaging ways and with better presentation enhanced revenue could be generated with minimum export of quantity. 32 to 33 percent based on export to UAE have been largely through the wooden crates with considerable losses to the fruit.
The expected jump in export to the valued markets has become possible after extensive efforts by PFVA, Ministry of National Food Security & Research, Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) and Department of Plant Protection. 
They have arranged 29 hot water treatment plants this year as compared to the three available plants last year to export quality and healthy fruit to European markets.
These plants have the capacity to treat 2000 to 2500 tones mango daily which will help in exporting disease free fruit this year.
PFVA showed concerns over the VHT plant, imported for mainly to target Japanese market, which is yet to be installed in the country. In the absence of this plant Japanese market will remain closed for Pakistani mango.


http://nation.com.pk/business/19-May-2015/pakistan-starts-mango-export-tomorrow