Fruit exporters have welcomed the Iran's decision of lifting ban on import of Pakistani kinnow and expecting a maximum of 10,000 tons of kinnow export during this season. After a gap of almost six year, Iran has lifted ban on imports of kinnow from Pakistan, but conditionally restricting the imports via land route and specific to its provinces Sistan and Balochistan.
Commenting on the development, leading exporter and patron in chief of Pakistan Fruits and Vegetables Exporters, Importers and Merchant Association (PFVA), Waheed Ahmed said exporters would try their best to tap this opportunity but it would be limited since the ban has been lifted at a time when the season of kinnow in Pakistan is at closing phase.
"The conditional export facility would also limit the export from 5,000 tons to 10,000 tons as Iran has lifted the ban on imports of kinnow for only 21 days to be continued till April 20, 2017," he added.
He said it is contradictory to the fact that Pakistani markets remain flooded with Iranian fruits throughout the year and the fruits from Tehran are either smuggled or imported through legal means are being sold in Pakistan. On the other hand, despite repeated requests, authorities in Pakistan have not taken up the issue of ban on Pakistani products in Iran, with Iranian government, depriving exporters here of over 70,000 tons export per season.
Waheed appealed to the Iranian government to lift ban on sea and air cargo and allowing it to other cities of the neighbouring country. Talking about export statistics, he said Pakistan has so far exported 250,000 tons of kinnow to various countries with a break-up of 190,000 tons shipped by sea and rest 60,000 tons sent by road.