The delay in kinno export caused a loss of 2.7 million dollars during the current month due to non-ripening of the fruit to its full maturity. This was stated by All Pakistan Vegetable and Fruits Processors and Exporters Association Chairman Mateen Siddiqui on Thursday. He said that last year in November, 341 containers of kinno were exported, whereas by November 15 only eight containers had been shipped.
He said the fruits were likely to achieve maturity in size and colour with the start of winter and the export season might start by December 15. However, last year, about 1,007 containers had been shipped in November and December as against only eight shipped till November 15, he said.
To a query, he said the kinno export trade was the only business, which was not regulated by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), and there was no condition of weight, packing and commencing date, earlier fixed by the Bureau.
The Ministry of Commerce withdrew powers from the EPB in 2001 to regulate the kinno exports after it imposed restrictions on the export of fruits in wooden crates.
The exporters approached the ministry, which abolished the condition.
Mateen also criticised the role of Pakistan Horticultural Export Board, set up with a huge capital, to promote the exports of green stuff. The board had cost the government Rs 40 to 50 million in the last two years, but had done nothing except holding meetings and issuing a magazine, he added.
He said that Iran was likely to become a new market for Pakistani kinno and its delegation was expected any moment to sign a protocol with the Pakistan government for import of citrus fruit.
He criticised the EPB for not making payment of freight subsidy to the fruit exporters badly needed to process fresh orders and said the payment on claims submitted till June 2003 had not been paid despite several promises and committees set up to sort out the claims for the payment.