The total mango production will be higher by nine percent this season as official estimates put the figure around 1.2 million tons this season, compared to 1.1 million tons of maango crop, recorded last year According to officials in Pakistan Horticulture Development & Export Board (PHDEB), the assessment of mango crop so far is encouraging and there is no negative factor, which might pose any loss to mango crop.
Based on the higher mango production this season, officials see increased in mango export this year coupled with exploring of new avenues for mango export this year.
The total mango export stood at around 77,000 tons last year, which earned 23.5 million dollars foreign exchange. "The country is expected to export around 1,00,000 tons of mango export this year, which would fetch between 30 to 35 million dollars," official added.
ESTIMATES DISPUTED: However, a leading mango exporter disputed the official estimates of higher mango export this year, when contacted, as due to delay in maturity of mango crop, caused by prolonged winter in Sindh and Punjab. "The total export might slip down slightly due to late harvest of mango crop as not a single consignment of mango has been exported so far, which was not the case in last many years, he added.
However, he agreed with official estimates of production and said that the mango crop situation is quite normal.
Chief operating officer (COO) PHDEB Muhammad Iqbal, when approached and asked about the attack of "Sudden death" disease on mango trees in Sindh and Punjab, did not see any major threat due to this disease.
The reports of crop size, he added, "are quite normal and up to the official estimates" and added the damage caused by this disease was at a very minute level.
"One should remember that if some trees were damaged by this disease, at the same time there were addition of new mango trees, which got matured this year and contributed significantly in production," he added.
The CCO said that out of total production, Punjab's share stands around 67pc, while Sindh contributes around 33pc. "Because of exploring of new Chinese and Iranian markets, the mango export is bound to increase," he said, adding, "an Iranian quarantine department delegation will be visiting Pakistan from June 11 to 18 to inspect the quarantine facilities for mango export under the agreement signed between two countries in February this year."
Mr Iqbal disclosed that in order to facilitate the mango export, insurance of mango consignment has also got under way, which would cover risks and losses, caused by delay in shipment of mango consignment.
PRICE: Muhammad Aslam, a leading mango exporter, told Business Recorder that "crop size situation is under control and there is no fear of any major loss, caused by fungus."
"The price of nine to 10 kgs carton is the same this year compared to the last year ie between Rs 120 to 130 in market, which depicts that there is no shortage of supply," he added.
On export of mango to Iran, he opined that it would not make any big difference in export as only three plants comply with the Iranian quarantine requirements, from where the export would be very marginal.
He was of the view that the government should undertake aggressive marketing to enhance the mango export by upgrading the cool chain system and related infrastructure.
On insurance of mango consignment, he said that despite the losses in delay of shipment, exporters would not opt to get their consignments insured due to high premium, charged by the insurance company.
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