Pakistan: ‘Untreated mangoes export won’t be allowed’
The minister said Indian mango had already been banned in EU markets after the fruit flies were found in shipments and the Pakistan government was taking precautionary measures after two Pakistani mango consignments were cancelled by the EU.
“It was a yellow card for our mango exporters to take precautionary measures,” he said, adding that hot water treatment plant in Multan would facilitate the mango growers of south Punjab to export their product as there was only one plant in Karachi which was proving costly for growers and exporters from south Punjab to get their mangoes treated from Karachi. The countries importing mangoes have become very sensitive regarding quarantine requirement insects and diseases especially fruit fly while Pakistan is also facing quarantine issues for export of mango fruit,” he said.
Mr Bosan said that due to the increasing demand of Pakistani mangoes, the prices in European markets had almost been doubled. He expressed hope that mango growers would get benefits by adopting initiatives and precautionary measures announced by the government as these measures would enhance quality of mangoes in the international market.
Later, the minister was briefed on technical specification of the locally manufactured hot water treatment plant.
Source: dawn.com
