So far this season, which began in May, Pakistan has exported 40,000 tons of mangoes which is just under half of the government's 100,000 ton export target set for the season.
Chairman Waheed Ahmed of All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association said a good crop has been recorded in the Punjab province.
“On the basis of that, we expect that we can meet the target,” Ahmed said.
The mango export season starts from May 20 and continues till mid September. The export reaches its peak in July and August when almost 70 percent of exports are completed.
Exporters are targeting $800/ton of mango price, which crossed $750/ton for export orders after mid July. “We target $75 million export revenue this year,” said the business leader.
Last year, 72,000 tons of mangoes were exported at an average price of $650/ton, earning the government $45 million in revenue. Till May last, the country exported 30,000 tons of mangoes.
Almost 25 percent of exports are via land route to Iran and Afghanistan and 60 percent through sea routes mainly to UAE where it is re-exported to European countries and other international destinations.
Ahmed said last year only 6,400 tons of mangoes were exported to Europe. This year’s target is 8,000 tons, he said.
“Cost of exporting mangoes to European countries is very high,” the exporter said. “They are the premium markets and demand very high quality mangoes.”
Ahmed said exporters planned to bring local mangoes among the top three in terms of tag price in the world within the next three years. The exporters invested nearly one billion rupees in establishment of modern facilities of storages, hot water treatment plants and other infrastructures. “In just the last two years, the number of hot water treatment plants increased to 26 from only two,” he added.
He sought the support from the provincial governments for the research and development in order to adopt the best agricultural practice for yield enhancement. He said this will reduce the production cost and enable exporters to fetch a good price in Europe, UK, Australia, Japan, Korea, US and China.
Source: thenews.com.pk
