Export of Kinnow from Pakistan has commenced and an export target of 300,000 metric tons has been set for the current season which is expected to generate valuable foreign exchange of $ 19.5 million during this season.
This year, the expected Kinnow production will be some 2.2 million tons, out of which some 15-20 percent would be exported.
Waheed Ahmed Patron-in-Chief All Pakistan Fruit & Vegetable Exporters, Importers & Merchants Association (PFVA) has said that keeping the huge losses sustained by the Kinnow exporters in Russian market during the previous season the export target for the current year has been kept 50,000 tons less compared to the last year.
"Due to stiff competition in the Russian market, the exporters exported Kinnow at lower cost even less than actual cost of shipments and suffer a financial loss of around $ 6 million in the previous Kinnow season. The exporters of Kinnow from countries of our competitors are rendered financial support by their respective governments, while there is no incentive for Pakistani Kinnow exporters from the government", he mentioned.
In order to attain the export target of 300,000 metric tons, close coordination and cooperation among the shipping companies, ministries concerned and departments is needed. There is also need to ensure improved line, he added.
"Since the existing Kinnow orchards have already completed their life cycle and don't have adequate resistance to protect against effect of climatic changes and diseases, thus we are now confronted with issue of quality hence it's need of the hour to harvest new varieties of citrus fruits", Waheed urged.
The season of citrus fruits is limited to a period of four months, however, with production of new varieties this period can be extended to eight months and the current export volume can be enhanced to US$ one billion.
He said that concerted efforts would be required on government level so that with extensive Research & Development (R&D) new orchards with new varieties can be established across the country. If new orchards with new varieties are not established, the existing export of citrus fruits would be badly affected, he cautioned.
Due to serious issues of quality, the PFVA has "self-imposed" ban since year 2014 on export of Kinnow to Europe. The Europe is a huge International maker for Pakistani Kinnow and can easily accommodate around 1000 containers, however to avert any likely ban by the Europe, Pakistani exporters stopped export of Kinnow to Europe.
The European market offers better price of Pakistani Kinnow compared to other conventional international markets and had export of Kinnow continued to this market, the export should have enhanced by 50 percent.
While putting great emphasis on improvement of quality and exploration of new varieties to tap the European market, Waheed said since Pakistan does not have "Quarantine Protocols" signed with some countries, exporters are facing difficulties to explore new markets.
He has stressed upon the Federal Ministry of National Food Security & Research and the provincial governments to initiate the process of R&D in the horticulture sector so that serious concern over the food security can be promptly addressed.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2019
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