Pakistan is likely to surpass its mango export target this season due to favourable weather for the past few months. Pakistan is one of the largest exporters and producers of mangoes in the world. The authorities have set an export target of 140,000 tonnes of mangoes while Pakistani exporters expect that it would be more than 165,000 tonnes.
Ahmad Jawad, CEO, Harvest Trading, one of the leading exporters of fruits told Business Recorder because of ideal weather conditions the growers are expecting a good harvest of mangoes in Punjab and Sindh areas. Picking is expected to commence in mid May.He said that mango growers in Pakistan have been receiving support from Agribusiness Support Fund (ASF) and US Agency for International Development (USAID) to expand mango industry in the country.
USAID's mango programme extends assistance by helping mango growers to achieve Global GAP certification. So far 21 farms have qualified for this certification. Pakistani mangoes would also be introduced this year in Russia and China with the support of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP). Exports of Pakistani mango would also start for the first time to United States. The fruit was introduced in US last year where the response was beyond expectations.
Ahmad Jawad, however, expressed disappointment over government's failure to capture Australian market due to not carrying out the orders as required by the authorities despite the fact that Pakistan's foreign office had intimated Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company (PHDEC) on time in writing last year.
At the same time mango orchards on thousands of acres in Sindh have come under different viral disease attack. A large mango growing area, however, has already been cleared to prevent the spread of disease. The situation is reported to be more serious in Hyderabad, Tando Allahyar, Shaheed Benarabad, Matiari, Naushero Feroz, Sangarh and Umerkot districts.
Mango is cultivated in the province on around 56,000 hectares, with annual production of some 390,000 tons. But mango crop this year is likely to pot 30-40 percent fall in production due to the disease, he said.
Ahmad Jawad suggested the farmers to avoid contracting their mango orchards and promptly look after their gardens by ensuring proper irrigation and balanced nutrients because this year is very important for mango exports.