USDA approved Pakistan mangoes on all international airlines
In a recent correspondence between Pakistan Department of Plant Protection (DPP) and USDA, it was agreed that Pakistan exporters would be able to export mangoes through other airlines bound for O’Hare International Airport Chicago, before only Pakistan International Airlines had this facility to take mangoes to US.
However, Jawad urged APHIS, a subsidiary of USDA, to lay down the same policy as they have done for Indian products. Indian counterparts have the permission to irradiate mangoes in their homeland which helps to curtail the cost factor and make them competitive for the buyers; why not Pakistan? asks Jawad.
Currently expensive irradiation procedure seriously hampering the export process.
Jawad said that to date mango importers in the US were concerned about the financial feasibility of selling Pakistani mangoes as due to high prices they may not be able to clinch much of a market except for the niche die-hard Pakistani mango fans.
Subsequently mango buyers in USA required more irradiation facilitation in different US cities; in terms of better options to irradiate Pakistani mangoes. Currently there is only one irradiation unit at Iowa City, which is not acceptable.
The Harvest Tradings CEO said, "we made it clear that we want level playing field in every market. In 2011, Pakistani growers exported only five tons of the country’s signature fruit to the United States and had hoped for a higher volume this year, as USA is one of the largest imports of mangoes and we must take benefit out from this opportunity."
For more information
M. Farooq Azam
Harvest Tradings
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.harvesttradings.com
