Secretary General (Federal) of Businessmen Panel (BMP) and former Chairman of FPCCI Standing Committee on Horticulture Exports, Ahmad Jawad has said that efforts are under way to normalize the situation for kinnow exports, as majority of kinnow exporters think that the rate for kinnow Rs 600 per 40kg was unjustified which was announced by some circles of PFVA Association without any detailed deliberation.
Jawad said that the immature statement created uncertainty among the exporters, resultantly purchasing has almost stopped, adding that however, we are trying our best to normalise the situation so that kinnow exports could not suffer which will be commence from December 1. "It is now expected that revised rate will be announced soon which may around Rs 850 per 40 kg in the light of inflation."
He also urges the Ministry of Commerce to initiate negotiation with Chinese Authority for allowing Pakistani kinnow through all entry points, including its CPEC route.
He said that China is a market of a minimum of 100,000 tonnes of Pakistani kinnow due to their high demand and it depends on how we tap this big opportunity.
He said kinnow (Mandarin) have always been considered as a traditional symbol of good fortune in China. This is mainly because the word orange, when spoken in mandarin, sounds similar to the word "wealth". The orange hue of the fruit is also said to symbolise "gold", which makes it a very auspicious fruit.
Jawad further said that Pakistan could find out two new markets for citrus export - Philippines and China. "It is very heartening to note that Pakistan has targeted China and Philippines markets for kinnow export and expected boost in kinnow export is about 20 percent this year."
"CPEC is poised to give tremendous boost to the horticulture industry in Pakistan, which has a promising outlook," Jawad added. "However, presently we are facing many challenges internationally as European Union and other developed countries of the world are creating barriers to our agro exports."
UK, Australia, Japan, Korea even few central Asian countries are setting new standards for imports.
Jawad further said we are facing two problems in citrus - citrus canker and citrus graining which is detrimental to "kinnow" exports but growers are now very conscious to overcome it, which will further help to increase the export volumes.
He further said with the due assistance from the government; kinnow exports will touch a handsome figure of 500,000 tons in the next two years.
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