Pakistan is unlikely to achieve mango export target of 100,000 as crop is facing challenges of climate changes. During current mango season, the crop of mango is sustaining huge losses due to unexpected climatic changes and ahead of this factor, All Pakistan Fruit & Vegetable Exporters, Importers & Merchants Association (PFVA) fixed the export target at 100,000 metric tons compared to 128,000 metric tons was exported during the last season.
Patron in Chief of PFVA, Waheed Ahmed, terming the current mango season worst in the history of Pakistan, told Business Recorder that as per initial reports major crop damaged has been reported in Punjab and some 50-60 percent of the mango crop has been badly affected in Punjab due to severe climatic conditions, Whereas, some 15-25 percent decline is expected in Sindh.
He said that the collective production of mango is also anticipated to decline due to prolonged winter season, hail storm and strong winds. Pakistan's mango production is expected to decline from 1.8 million tons to 1.2 million tons during this season. However the extent of damage can only be ascertained by June when crop would be available in the market, he mentioned.
"In this scenario, PFVA's target of 100,000 tons mango export is seems difficult to achieve due to bad weather conditions", he added. He said that around the world the governments are working on the food security, however in our country nobody in taking this issue serious. There is no planning on food security at provincial and federal level, he added.
Waheed urged the government for working on technology, research and development to overcome expected food security crisis. The climatic changes are big challenge for the entire agriculture sector including horticulture sector and government can find appropriate solution by using technology, he added. "With use of modern technology the damage caused due to hail storm can be avoided and losses can be greatly minimized, he mentioned.
He informed that mango export from Pakistan have already been commenced from 20th May 2017. Waheed shared that Pakistani mango is exported to 50 countries in the World, however during the current season; special attention would be focussed to China, USA and South Korea.
"China can emerge as a big market where with the assistance of Govt special events would be organized in context with advertising and marketing of Pakistani mango", he added. Last year export value of mango was between $680-700 per metric ton, however during the current season this value would be $650 per metric ton, he informed.