Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Board (PHDEB) is conducting experiments in collaboration with the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad to increase shelf life of mango with an aim to increase export of the fruit especially to China which is big market.
Chief Executive Officer, PHDEB, Shamoon Sadiq talking to newsmen said that though following signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China Pakistan can export mango to China but this season we could not exploit our export potential due to shorter shelf life of our mangoes.
He said there is great demand for our mangoes especially Chaunsa in China but its life is only 18 days due to which it cannot be taken there through sea as it takes at least 11 days to reach China. He said the other option available was airlifting of the king of the fruits, but high freight rates render it un-competitive.
"Chinese are very price-sensitive-nation and despite liking our mango they would not go for its purchase in large quantity at higher price," Shamoon added.
To a question, he said this season we took a consignment of mangoes to
China and had planned to hold three-day fair there to dispose it of but it was sold like hot cakes and we were left with nothing for even 2nd day."
"Now we know there is market for our mango, but the problem is that life spell of our fruit is shorter than what is required to have due share in the market," he added.
He said the third option of taking the fruit in containers by road is also being assessed. Though it is economically as well as less time consuming than sea, yet it is very difficult as reaching China by road which passes through lofty mountains is not an easy task.
He said that main focus is on increasing shelf life of mango. If we succeed in increasing shelf life of our mango, which is known all over the world for its special taste and flavour, to even 24 days then next year we would be very much in Chinese market, which is big one and we would get our due share."
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