Export of horticulture products are expected to witness a boom in current year owing to scores of reasons particularly measures announced in new trade policy for growth in value addition horticulture products.
Development of cool chain system under new trade policy will not only increase the shelf life of horticulture products but would also put an end to exploitative situation to growers at the hand of buyers due to fear of perishing of these products.
This was stated by Chief Executive Officer Pakistan Horticulture Development & Export Board (PHDEB) Shamoon Sadiq while talking to PPI here on Monday.
He said that standardisation procedures laid down in the new trade policy are based on recommendations of PHDEB in order to boost country's horticulture products.
Regarding measures announced in new trade policy, PHDEB chief said that developing of cool chain system across the country would increase the shelf life of horticulture products and would save 40 percent production, which go waste due to absence of proper cold storage facilities.
"Special collection points equipped with cooling system are planned to be set up in Khuzdar, Loralai, Malakand and Haripur and an agreement has been inked between PHDEB and provincial governments in this regard," he disclosed.
Besides, four agro processing zones are being set up in Multan, Sargodha, Mirpurkhas and Peshawar for grading and processing of horticulture products, for which modalities have been finalised and work is about to start.
Terming horticulture as second largest export oriented sector in future after textile he said rice sector presently second largest export oriented sector would not sustain any longer as growing water shortage in country would have adverse impact on it.
He hoped that country's horticulture exports would exceed target of 400 to 500 million dollars in next few years due to recent measures taken by government for this sector, whose potential could not be tapped due to loopholes in policies concerning it.
Regarding export of mangoes to China he told that first shipment of Pakistani mangoes, expected to land in China at the end of July or in first week of August will lay the foundation of new market for Pakistan horticulture exporters.
Besides, 1,500 to 2,000 citrus fruit loaded containers would be exported to Russia this year.
He said that a delegation comprising of PHDEB official and mango exporters is also visiting China in first week of next month to hold talks with Chinese officials to boost horticulture products in neighbouring country.
"The delegation will arrange promotion activities including holding of food festivals in Beijing and Shanghai in which horticulture products would be displayed" he added.
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