As Pakistan's mango season draws to a close, the official estimates of exports differ from those of the exporters. The Pakistan Horticulture and Export and Development Company (PHDEC) — the official agency looking after the process — thinks that some 75,000 to 85,000 tonnes might have gone out of the country in the last four months. With 20,000 to 30,000 tonnes still on the trees, the total export tally might go up to 90,000 tonnes - short of the target of 110,000 tonnes for this year.
Exporters, however, contest both figures. Their estimate ranges between 60,000 tonnes and 70,000 tonnes — all export orders are already in place as only two weeks of the season are left.
The country would thus be ending its season down by almost a half of (at 130,000 tonnes) what it actually exported only six years ago.
The PHDEC insists that its figures are based on 22 hot-water treatment plants, which treat the fruit for export. Putting their data together, one reaches the figure the agency is sharing.
In the case of mango exports, some costly steps have become necessary. For example, the treatment of the fruits (hot-water or irradiation) needs to extend to the entire mango crop. In order to ensure the treatment and fruit quality, the pre-shipment inspection is now an added layer, which again has a cost of its own. The freight charges remain high.
Because of these factors, many exporters are now opting-out and keeping volumes low. In 2007-08, the country exported 130,000 tonnes, which have now progressively fallen either to 70,000 tonnes as claimed by exporters or 90,000 tonnes as per the official claim.
Unless the government finds ways to lower the cost of doing business, mangoes will continue losing volume in the world market. This year, even the opening up of the Iranian market has not been of help.
According to exporters, the government should contribute towards the freight cost, at least in the short term. In the long-term it should help to find new and more productive varieties, help with orchard replacement and, finally, assist exporters to be more competitive in high-end markets.
Source: dawn.com
