Although torrential rains have wreaked destruction and death throughout the country, they have at the same time brought smiles on the faces of Kinnow exporters in Punjab. Exports may touch the magic figure of $100 million this season.
According to them heavy rains give positive result to Kinnow raising chances for the current year (2012-13) crop to surpass better figures in exports despite the fact that this year production is less than previous year in Kinnow farms in Sargodha district, the biggest citrus producing hub.
CEO Harvest Trading and member export Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Ahmad Jawad while talking to Business Recorder said that recent monsoon spell had come at the proper time, giving solid hope for quality fruit, as orchards' health was great, lush green and full of fruits.
Quantity as well as quality is expected this season. The grain is juicy and good in weight while right now the fruit is at the developing stage-and will size up, getting its colour by mid November. For the upcoming season, which starts in about 15 months, there are encouraging reports suggesting around 1.9 to 2 million tons of production and there are prospects that country's exports would go in a positive way, he said.
Ground prices, Jawad said, seemed to be a bit on the lower side, but it would be confirmed at the time of price negotiation between the farmer and exporter. Roughly it could be between Rs 600 per 40 kg. "This year again, though, we will not be able to export Kinnow to Iran because of non availability of e-forms by banks, Indonesia and India have been added as new markets for the coming season."
"Over a period of time, Russia and Ukraine have also emerged as leading importers of Pakistani oranges. Total exports to both countries may now contribute almost half of Pakistan's total exports, provided we avail the proper time and provide excellent quality.
"Last season, 2011-12, we closed at 0.225 million tonnes against the 0.3 million tonnes target. The losses came as a result of difficulties with the Iranian market due to US imposed trade sanctions." Another reason was that fruits sent by unregistered and new companies to Moscow were sold at $4 to $5 per 10 kilograms against market price of $6.5 per 10 kg because of huge stock at the Russian ports.
This resulted in registered exporters incurring a loss of $20 million in Russia. The world market for citrus is valued $2.135 billion in which Pakistan's share has remained at $33 million per annum, just around 2.5 percent. Kinnow exports hold bright prospects for future; subject to proper dedication and research on the lines of Florida & Australian Citrus as our Kinnow (Mandarin) is the only fruit whose juice costs as little as a cup of tea. Stakeholders have demanded that a detailed conference should be called on "exports and future plans of Pakistani Kinnow" with the participation of all stakeholders from the government and private sector.