Pakistani mango exports to rise

By CnAgri2014-03-14 10:40:18 Print

Pakistan expects to boost its mango exports by 15 per cent this forthcoming season and add New Zealand and South Africa to its list of export markets, according to a report in The Express Tribune.

Babar Khan Durrani, CEO of Pakistan Horti Fresh Processing (Private) Limited ¨C a joint venture between Durrani Associates and Government of Pakistan, told the paper that Pakistan planned to ship around 160,000 tonnes of mangoes to international markets this season (which starts in May), up from 140,000 tonnes the prior year.

He added that Pakistan authorities were working on gaining access to New Zealand and South Africa this season, and that the recently-opened Chinese market would be a focus for mango shippers this year.

"Our current exports to China are almost nothing," he said. "China's demand is about 50,000 tonnes while we can export up to 20,000 tonnes."

Durrani told the paper that the government could play an important role in helping exporters achieve greater penetration in China. "The government should mobilise its diplomatic missions in Beijing to help find more buyers," he said.

Pakistan is the sixth largest producer of mangoes with a total production capacity of around 1.8m tonnes a year, Durrani said. However, he said the country exports only 8 per cent of its production, while up to 30 per cent is wasted due to multiple reasons ranging from primitive agricultural techniques to lack of processing and storage facilities on a large scale.

With advanced technology, the country can increase its exports by meeting international standards, he told the paper.