PFVA to fix target at last year's export level: global warming affects mango production this season

The vagaries of weather, particularly global warming has affected mango production in the country this season forcing All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association (PFVA) to fix the export target at the level of last year, ie 175,000 tons which would fetch 65 million dollars. According to Co-Chairman and spokesman of PFVA, Waheed Ahmed, the harvest of mango in Sindh has been affected to the extent of 15 percent and 20 to 25 percent in Punjab.
The over all mango production in the country declined this year from 18 lakh 50 thousand tons to 14 lakh 52 thousand tons. In Punjab the production slipped from 12 lakh tons to nine lakh tons whereas in Sindh it went down to five lakh 50 thousand tons from six lakh 45 thousand tons.
To meet the export target this season, co-operation of Quarantine department, Customs, Narcotics department and shipping companies is necessary. Since law and order situation and logistics problems also come in the way of exports, it is essential that disturbed situation in the city should be improved, he said.
Waheed Ahmed said that the level of exports has not been enhanced this season in view of strict monitoring by European Union and preventive measures against fruit flies by local authorities. The current mango export season will start from May 25 but like previous two years, this year also mango will not be exported to the high value markets of Japan and United States. Besides 30,000 ton Iranian market would also remain closed due to international sanctions against Iran which would result in a lost of 10 million dollars, he mentioned.
However, it is expected that exports to the newly discovered markets of South Korea and Australia may be increased. He said that Japan could become a 500 ton market for Pakistani mangoes but because of non availability of Vapor Heat Treatment facilities mangoes will not be exported, resulting in a loss of three to four million dollars.
Waheed Ahmed said that though 24000 ton mango is exported to European Union but because of close monitoring and strict compliance with sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures, there is likely to be a drop in mango exports to EU. Pakistani exporters are also paying more attention on quality instead of quantity. He said that China, Mauritius and South Korea could be very lucrative and profitability markets. Since the out ward appearance and beauty of the fruit is given preference in these markets, by introducing and promoting latest technology in mango orchards, mango exports could be increased to a considerable extent.
Pakistani mango is exported to more than 27 countries which include, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Norway, Holland, Canada,United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, countries in middle east, Malaysia, Hong Kong, South Korea Australia and Bangladesh.
Babar Khan Durrani, CEO, Pak Horti-fresh Processing Limited, a semi government company, processing mangoes through Hot Water Treatment (HWT) technology told Business Recorder on Wednesday that Pak exporters are keen to enhance their exports to different European Union countries to get the advantage of ban on Indian mangoes in the high valued market. Exports of mangoes could be increased if the Quarantine department of EU allows Pakistan's exports shipments after conducting its inspection and checks on prescribed health standards.
Pakistani exporters should ensure bacteria free mangoes to different countries of EU, which, though difficult but possible for local exporters. Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and Pakistan's Quarantine department are working closely with farmers and exporters to avoid any embargo from EU in case of any negligence and poor quality of the shipment.
Durrani who is also one of the leading mango exporters, said EU market is a big opportunity for Pakistan but at the same time a big threat because the country may face ban like India in case of any negligence on quality control. The current mango season is very crucial for Pakistan as it has been shown yellow card of warning thrice in the last three seasons and any negligence on quality and health standards could lead to a ban on Pakistan similar to one imposed on India. Ban in EU countries could extend to different countries in the world which have been importing mangoes.
The ban could be extremely damaging for exports because it will take years to restore access to the market like EU once the embargo is imposed. The example of fisheries sector is before us where it took six years to restore Pakistani access to merely two to three companies after strict inspections.
Pakistani mangoes could be accessible to EU countries and different high-end market if these are processed in HWT plants. Any shipment without HWT processing could have greater risk of bacteria and fruit fly element. He further said that export orders from high valued markets, ie, Australia, China, and Mauritius, could also be increased significantly during the season which will bring foreign exchange for the country.
Local exporters, he advised should strictly follow the quarantine and health standards of EU to penetrate in the high-end market, ensuring that consignments are fruit fly and bacteria free. The HWT is the only solution to meet the standards of health and quarantine of different markets. UAE is the biggest market with more than 40 percent share in exports. It is followed by Saudi Arabia, Iran, China, Jordan and Afghanistan, he added.