Kinnow export target set at 0.225 million tons

Kinnow exporters from Pakistan have set a target of exporting 225,000 tons Kinnow during the crop season 2008-09, and the main markets of Pakistani fruit would be Russian Federation, Iran and UAE. The exporters reported that about 1.7-1.8 million tons kinnow crop would be available during the crop season 2008-09.
Therefore, it would not impact the sourcing and exports of kinnow, despite the fact that the crop is 30 percent less than the previous kinnow crop season ie, 2007-08. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of leading Kinnow exporters held in Bhalwal recently with Chief Operating Officer, Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Board, Muhammad Iqbal, in the chair, sources in the Board told Business Recorder here on Tuesday.
The meeting discussed crop condition, Kinnow export targets, dates of shipment, issues and constraints with reference to kinnow export to Russian Federation and Iran, logistics and others. Besides focussing on Russian Federation, Iran and UAE, the meeting also decided to explore new market of China, which will be given special priority, as the Government is willing to enhance trade between the two countries under the FTA signed between the two countries.
In order to improve efficiency of the protocol signed with China, the Commissioner of Minor Crops (CMC), Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (Minfal), would take up the matter with AQSIQ China, to allow reduction in cold treatment time with reduction of storage temperature, the meeting decided.
Similarly, to enhance exports with India, the CMC, Minfal, referred to the Safta agreement, and highlighted the need to send a delegation to India during the current kinnow season.
The exporters highlighted the semi-ripe kinnow being exported to UAE by some new exporters. It was decided that from next kinnow season, the date of kinnow export would be decided in October each year, which will be enforced by the Ministry of Commerce through a notification.
In order to control non-compliance of MoU between Pakistan and Iran, the D-G, Department of Plant Protection (DPP), agreed to undertake inspection of the approved cold storages and reefers by constituting a Committee, which will have authority to control the issuance of Phyto-sanitary certificates.
The Committee will comprise of a nominee from DPP, Abduallah Shahid, from PHDEB Malik Asif, from Kinnow Exporters Qasim Eijaz, and Chairman All Pakistan Fruit Exporters Association Abdul Wahid.
The D.G. DPP also highlighted the key points of the revised protocol signed between the Pakistan and Russia. According to the protocol, the exporters will have to ensure fumigation of cold rooms, reefers, lorries, and packing material prior stuffing the finished product. Similarly, the DPP will also add additional declaration that the product has been tested for quality and safety.