For the first time, exports of Pakistani mangoes to the United States would start from June 1, 2011, following the resolution of all protocols which were pending with the government of Pakistan and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), according to Ahmad Jawad, CEO of Harvest Trading. This would break decades-old monopoly of India in the export of Indian variety of mangoes and enable Americans enjoy the legendary fruit from Pakistan. This year, US is likely to consumes 500,000 tons of mangoes.
Pakistan and India are two nations sharing the same historical heritage. They, however, claim superiority in the field of growing fruits and vegetables to manufacturing most sophisticated nuclear weapons. The penetration of Indian mango in the US market was probably one of the main reasons to alert Pakistanis to search for ways to market their product in the US.
No doubt, Pakistan grows the most aromatic, sweet mangoes in the region but marketing this fragrant queen to the US was a Herculean task in itself. To-date date, Animal Plant Health & Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued seven permits to US buyers. All shipments will be dispatched from Lahore on every Wednesday to Chicago airport. US buyers are bound to irradiate first at Sadex Corporation, Sioux City in order to distribute the mangoes to different parts of US. The use of irradiation techniques to kill bacteria in food dates back to the start of the 20th century. In the US, a year witnesses around 76 million illnesses, 30 million reported cases, around .3 million hospitalisation and about 5000 deaths due to food-borne illnesses affecting mainly children and elderly people which results in the loss of $200 million to $400 million in annual medical and productivity losses.
Jawad said Pakistan Horticulture Development Export Company has worked extensively on this project in collaboration with the Embassy of US in Islamabad. He said that seven orchards in Punjab and one orchard in Sindh have been certified by the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) which will be used for procurement of mangoes. DPP has the authority to issue health certificate before the mangoes are shipped to the United States. The varieties which will be exported mainly are Langra, Chaunsa, Sindhri and Anwar Ratol.
Despite being rich in delicacy, the import of Pakistani mangoes will remain a costly and hectic exercise for the US buyers till such time as the United States allows irradiation at source, Jawad said. Since this is going to be the first season for Pakistani mangoes in US, USDA/APHIS and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had a very long and extensive requirements, rules and regulations, showing a lot of risk factor which have to be met with.
There are 700,000 Pakistani-Americans in the United States in cities like New York, Houston and Chicago as well as in northern and southern California who are anxiously waiting for Pakistani mangoes due to exotic taste which is not much available in other mangoes of different countries.
As per the compliance agreement with USDA, the exporters would be required to develop packaging and send the same for approval to USDA and Sadex Corporation. Over and above the compliance agreement, the exporters are also required to get a guaranty letter from the manufacturers of the material used in their packaging citing all the ingredients of the materials used thereof as required by USDA. USAID has trained about 1483 mango growers across the country for enhancing production of the fruit as well as increasing its export during the season.
Mango is most widely consumed fresh fruit in the world exceeding production of 17 million tons per year. Mexico is the largest exporter of mangoes. Cultivated for over 6,000 years, the king fruit enjoys the status of national fruit of Pakistan, India and the Philippines. Pakistan's mango varieties surpass its competitors for having a unique aroma and sweetness.
European Union and Middle East are the biggest importers of Pakistani mangoes. south-east Asian people overseas take this fruit as a gift from their own soil and present to their friends abroad with pride. Pakistan produces more than 100 varieties of mango while its export was recorded at 85,000 tons last year.
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