KARACHI: Pakistan as sixth largest mango producer in the world may increase its exports up to $80 million as against $60.7 million presently, with proper attention to control fruit fly disease, enhancement in the numbers of Hot Water Treatment plants, installation of Vapour Heat Treatment Plant and irradiation facility required by mango importer countries.
A study report on Mango Production and Export from Pakistan prepared by Member, Business Faculty, Mohammad Ali Jinnah University, Karachi, Dr. Mohammad Rizwanul Hassan has said that the competitiveness of Pakistan mango export has slightly improved during the last ten years, according to a statement on Friday.
Pakistan’s share of export against its production does not show improvement because a large part of crop is wasted every year due to lack of storage facility, he said.
The report also indicates huge potential for mango crop in world as Pakistan is among six largest mango producers, its production requires large scale human resources which is involved at different stages from production to packaging and export.
Expansion in mango export in terms of quantity and value will transform into improving welfare and raising GDP of the country, it said.
Highlighting the hurdles in mango production and increase in export it is pointed out that presence of fruit fly, a disease creating small insect in mangoes is a major concern of quarantine departments of all importing countries.
Hot Water Treatment (HWT), Vapour Heat Treatment (VHT) and Irradiations facility are technical measures adopted to tackle the issue of fruit fly. In Pakistan there are only three hot water plants which are insufficient for large supply of mango exports.
So far Pakistan does not have vapour heat treatment plant and irradiation facility required by Japan and USA respectively for mango import.
In global export market climate, quality and safety standards pose serious challenges for which policy options in terms of storage, processing, packaging and pricing are needed.
Mangoes’ major export markets are UAE, Saudi Arabia, EU, USA, Japan and those countries where Pakistani expatriates constitute substantial demand of Pakistani mango.
