Pakistani fruits exports: Argentina ready to help in reducing post-harvest losses

The Ambassador of Argentina in Pakistan, Rodolfo J Martin Saravia, has said that Argentina market is open for Pakistani products. In a meeting with the Chief Executive Officer of Harvest Trading, Ahmed Jawad, he showed keen interest in agriculture sector, particularly fruit harvest for export. He assured Jawad that his country would be willing to assist in minimising post-harvest loss through different techniques.
Pakistan currently exports rice to Argentina; Jawad told the Ambassador, and urged the embassy to promote Pakistani fruits through some expo, and invite the private sector from Argentina to Pakistan to promote this industry through B2B meetings. He emphasised on bilateral trade and people to people contact to boost trade between Pakistan and Argentina and that both countries should also consider reducing tariffs and removal of non-tariff barriers.
"We want to build a long-term relationship, and trade is the only source which could overcome the barriers and build confidence between the two countries, which may lead to increasing confidence of private sector in two countries.", Jawad said.
He said that the Argentine private sector must invest in the National Corridor Development Program of Pakistan to build pack house and cold storages for perishable items to curtail post-harvest losses. He also suggested that Pakistan's fresh produce products should be exported to Argentina so that the people of that country could get the exotic taste of Pakistani products which are popular all over the world, particularly kinnow, mangoes and dates.
He said that horticulture sector contributes about 12 percent to the national agricultural GDO of Pakistan, and holds great potential for increasing export of premium quality horticulture produce, offering multiple employment opportunities throughout the supply chain, especially in rural areas. However, he said, that its growth and profitability is restrained mainly by the lack of proper post-harvest management and transport infrastructure. "We are rich in the production of wheat, cotton rice and fruits due to the unique soil and climatic conditions," he said.