Pakistan's mango exports have been estimated at 140,000 tons this season, higher by about 25 percent of last year. The figure compiled by Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Board (PHDEB) indicates that total exportable mango, by the end of July 2005, was around 100,000 tons - higher by 77,000 tons of corresponding period of last year.
The rise in mango exports volume of was the result of higher produce this season, which is still continuing and is likely go into October this year.
Total mango production estimates this year have been put around 1.3 million tons, higher by 1.1 million tons than last year.
"This bigger size of the crop gives indication for substantial increase in exports of the fruit, brushing aside all apprehensions about decline in mango production," Chief Operating Officer (COO) of PHDEB, Mohammad Iqbal, told Business Recorder on Tuesday.
He said that assessment of mango crop so far has been encouraging and there was no negative factor, which might pose any gear of loss to mango crop.
Substantiating his claim of higher production, Iqbal referred to export figures and availability of mangoes in the local market in abundance at reasonable rates, which is within the reach of even poor people.
He said that fears of decline in mango crop were due to attack on mango trees by a disease, 'sudden death', and damage to the crop by heavy winds both in Sindh and Punjab. All these proved wrong.
"Indeed, a little damage was done to mango crop by diseases," he said added that one should remember that while some trees were damaged by the disease, there were additions of new mango trees which matured this year and contributed significantly in production.
Major part of mango exports finds it way in Middle East, especially in Dubai and Muscat, UK, and European markets, while some share is claimed by Far East Asian region.
Asked whether opening of Chinese and Iranian markets were the cause of the growth in mango exports, Iqbal said that it might have some impact but the real cause was the growing demand in its traditional markets.
"As a matter of fact, to cater to the needs of Iranian and Chinese markets, the country would have to further expand its production base, as the present size would not be sufficient to meet these two big markets," he added.
He suggested that in order to enhance the production base, high density plantation of dwarf mango plants should be carried out, which would not only overcome the problem of over-irrigation but would also result in more area under cultivation.
"Total crop value of horticulture sector is $2 billion, but its exports value stands at $136 million annually, which is much less than the potential," he said when asked about the potential of horticulture sector.
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