Pakistan: Increasing mango shelf life to 35-40 days
Fruit flies were a major impediment for mango producing countries like Pakistan to market the ‘king of the fruits’ to developed countries. Mr A.Q. Khan Durrani, a researcher, is credited with saving and promoting Pakistan’s mango exports at a time when Indian mango exports to the European Union were banned.
Different countries have their own requirements for processing and treatment, but the most commonly used method in vogue is hot water treatment (HWT), radiation and vapour treatment.
Around 300 rejected mango consignments led to the imposition of a ban by the EU on the import of Indian mangoes at the start of the mango season on May 30, 2014 for two years. But Pakistan — whose rejected consignments to the EU during 2013 stood at a lesser 234 — was warned that it will face a ban if five more of its shipments were rejected.
"The global standard for the shelf life of fresh fruits and vegetables is no more than 7-8 days, but Pakistan has managed to develop an indigenous technology that has increased it to 35-40 days," shares A.Q. Khan Durrani.
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