Pakistan's Kinnow mandarin season is looking much better than last year, says Shoaib Ahmad Basra, Managing Director of fresh produce exporter National Fruit Pakistan. "We expect about 10% more than a normal crop, but really it's double what we had last year. Last season was tough as we only had about half the usual production volume."
According to Basra, national production could reach around 2.8 million tons this year, with plans to export over 0.5 million tons worth roughly 200 million USD. He highlights, "Even though there is more fruit, the sizes are smaller, but overall the bigger harvest means more for export."
© National Fruit Pakistan
Basra maintains that exporters like him are bracing for a season challenged by logistical pressures. "Red Sea closures and the Russia-Ukraine conflict have cut into some of our key markets for small-sized mandarins. Moreover, the Pakistan-Afghanistan border has been closed for the past month, which is a big problem since Afghanistan is a major buyer of lower-grade Kinnow and the main transit route for CIS countries like Uzbekistan, our biggest buyer right now."
Exporters are counting on the reopening of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border as the season begins in late November. "If the border reopens by early December, exports could rise by 40% across all markets. But if it stays closed, growers and exporters will struggle with so much small fruit that will be hard to sell, putting pressure on prices and margins," Basra explains.
© National Fruit Pakistan
Demand is healthy from countries such as Uzbekistan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Basra shares. "Kinnow dominates Pakistan's citrus exports, though it is losing some of its popularity due to seeds and cosmetic issues. Buyers want seedless, better-looking fruit these days," he notes, while adding that National Fruit Pakistan is planning to enter Vietnam and Thailand, although quarantine regulations are currently slowing progress.
The season officially kicks off in late November, with December and January expected to be busy months thanks to Christmas and New Year sales. "With Ramadhan and Eid-Ul-Fitr celebrated in February and March respectively, demand will pick up again locally and in the Middle East." Basra hopes that the Afghan border will open soon to ensure a smooth season. "Too many small sizes without buyers could pull prices down and hurt growers," he concludes.
For more information:
Shoaib Ahmad Basra
National Fruit Pakistan
Tel: +92 30 08 601 455
Email: [email protected]
www.nationalfruit.com.pk