Pakistan’s fruit and veg exports rise

Pakistan’s fruit and vegetable exports went up by 40 and 33pc respectively in dollar terms in the 5 months of the current fiscal year as compared to last fiscal year. Figures released by the FBS revealed shipment of 218,203 tonnes of fruits ($143.4m) in July-Nov 2013-2014 as compared to 191,739 tonnes ($103m) in same period last fiscal year. Vegetable exports fetched $63m through shipment of 197,855 tonnes as compared to $47.4m from 109,378 tonnes. Boost in mango, onion and potato exports played a positive impact on overall growth in fruit and vegetable export, said Waheed Ahmed of All-Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association.

He said that over 190,000 tonnes of mango was exported to Europe, Canada, Middle East, Far East, Japan and South Korea this season. Other fruits included apple, cheeko, apple custard (shareefa), he added.

Waheed said that overall exports of fruits should improve when the export of kinnow and mango resume to Iran. Pakistan is facing a ban on these items from Iran for the last three years.

Pakistan used to ship 25,000-30,000 tonnes of mango to Iran, fetching around $15m per year. Similarly, export of around 80,000-90,000 tonnes of kinno to Iran, fetching $40m, also came to halt, he said.

In total export of vegetables, the share of onion stood at over 60 percent with exports to countries like India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Middle East and Malaysia.

Source: www.nation.com.pk