In a statement issued here on Friday, Jawad said:
"More than 50% of Pakistani mangoes are shipped by air for the purpose of export due to its short shelf life, and if the airlines continue to increase their rates every year than it would not be possible to continue to sell mangoes to high value markets."
He quoted an example that from Karachi to London, airlines charged $ 1.72 per kg; comparatively, from Bombay to London, they charged $ 1.26 per kg. Given such a comparison, they must realize how much difference there is on the UK market between the price of Indian and Pakistani Mangoes.
An FPCCI Official also briefed that, this year, the country's mango production also suffered due to heavy hail storms in South Punjab and unexpected climatic changes, which also harmed the export target. This year Pakistani mango exporters are likely to close at around 80,000 tons worth of exports by the end of this season. Though last year the export value of mangoes was between $ 680 to $ 700 per metric ton. However, in the current season this value would be USD 650 per metric ton, he added
He urged the aviation ministry to form some mechanism in order to stream- line the cargo rates of the airlines to facilitate fresh produce exports. Similarly the commerce ministry should form a mechanism that if any exporter enters into the new market, then the government will give them a 15pc reimbursement on the invoice value to encourage the mango exporters, as well encouraging the "Pakistan Brand" through the king of fruit.
The FPCCI Committee Chief also requested the Punjab government to reserve funds in the current budget to counter the menace of climate change during crop production. He said that the climatic changes are a big challenge for the entire agriculture sector, including the horticulture sector, and that technology could be utilised to find appropriate solutions. With the use of modern technology the damage caused by hail storms can be avoided and losses can be minimised.
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