Pakistan to exceed mango export targets
The authorities had set a target of 140,000 tonnes of mangoes for export, though growers now predict they will produce in the region of 165,000 tonnes.
Ahmad Jawad, CEO, Harvest Trading, one of the leading exporters of fruits said growers are expecting a good harvest of mangoes in Punjab and Sindh areas.
He said that picking is likely to commence in mid-May.
Pakistani mangoes will this season be introduced into Russia and China. They will also be sent to the US for the second year running. Last year was the first year that mangoes from the country were exported to the US, where they met with a very welcoming response.
Jawad, however, expressed his disappointment at missing out on the potential of the Australian market. He blamed this on the government for failing to meet export standers in the country.
At the same time as new markets opening up and plentiful crops being available there is some bad news, however. There have been outbreaks of viral disease in the Sindh area, covering thousands of acres. A large area has already been cleared to try and prevent the spread of the disease.
As a result there is expected to be a decrease in production in the area of around 30% this year.
Source: www.brecorder.com