MULTAN: Current wave of conavirus has posed serious challenges for exports of South Punjab mangoes. Government should make special arrangements for the export of mangoes. Despite the challenges posed by Covid-19 restrictions, Pakistan has set an export target of 150,000 metric tonnes of mangoes during this season as demand for the king of fruits has increased in the international market. With 60 per cent of mango crop being produced for export, lack of medium to transport the fresh fruit is likely to hit farmers hard. South Punjab mango cultivators will bear huge loss due to Corona virus.
It was stated by Former President Mango Growers Association and Mango Scientist Syed Zahid Hussain Gardezi while talking exclusively to Customs Today regarding issues in export of South Punjab mangoes.
As the export of mango commenced the body of horticulture exporters has set the major target as compared to the initial target of 80,000 MT set last year. According to an announcement made by mango growers Association that the 150,000 metric tonns export of mango would fetch valuable foreign exchange of over $127.5 million. He said that coronavirus wreaked havoc in Pakistan and abroad, has not spared king of fruits, mango in South Punjab. With the mango season just starting, the fruit is in great demand in the Gulf, European countries and America. He said that people staying in foreign countries waits for the mango season. However, due to the coronavirus outbreak traders are unable to export mangoes.
He said that export target of mango was set as 80,000 tons keeping in view the drastic significant negative impact on economy due to COVID-19 Pandemic and subsequent logistics challenges, however due to an extra-ordinary demand of mangoes globally, the export was enhanced to 140000 tons, generating foreign exchange of $ 120 million.
Farmers of South Punjab invest a lot in mangoes. The fruit of Mango is always in high demand in foreign countries. If mangoes are not exported, farmers of South Punjab will suffer huge losses. At present export of mangoes through the air has been made complicated. The other option is by sea, but that takes a lot of time.” Mango orchards are located over thousands of acres in the South Punjab region. Multan is on top in its cultivation with an area of over 31,000 hectares of mango orchards followed by Rahimyar Khan, Muzaffargarh and Khanewal with cultivation area 26,000, 19,000 and 14,000 hectares respectively. Mangoes of South Punjab especially Multan were matchless in flavor and aroma.
Syed Zahid Hussain Gardezi informed Customs today that even if they sent shipments via sea, there is no guarantee they will reach the desire destination, “In Gulf countries, the ship first goes to Dubai and then the goods are transferred to other countries by road. But the countries have closed their doors. So the situation looks very dangerous for the mango market. “An average production of mangoes was about 1.8 million metric tons annually in the country, he told. It used to export approximately one hundred thousand tones. About 40 to 50 per cent low production was being feared in the on-going season due to low fruiting in orchards.
The negative impact of Covid-19 on farmers will be beyond one imagination. He requested government to facilitate the growers in obtaining export orders of mangoes from neighboring and countries of the Middle East and also proposed that Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) should facilitate pulp industry.
He informed that on one hand Pakistani mango industry of Rs. 100 billion is facing serious issues of climatic changes and scarcity of water while on other hand, limited flight operations, restrictions by numerous destinations on flights & higher air freights increases cost of export, contrary to the last year, the export of mangoes via sea this year faces stiff challenges due to shortage of reefer containers and high freight cost. Of the total export volume of mangoes, 55% is exported by sea, 25% by land routes and 20% by Air.
The Mango Growers Association has urged the government to focus on the promising International markets of Russia & China for export of mangoes having immense export potential and strongly recommended to conduct Mango promotions for wide publicity of mangoes . By following realistic strategy under patronage of the GoP, Pakistan can be included in the list of top three mango exporting countries of the world within a period of 4 to 5 years, however to accomplish that it is imperative to focus our attention on high value markets such as Japan, USA, Australia, South Korea & China. He stressed upon the need for an extensive Research & Development (R&D) to improve quality & cosmetic look to get an easy access to these markets which have strong faith in “quality & impressive appearance” of the fruit.
He claims that climatic changes are having serious negative impacts on the crops of mangoes for the last five years resulting in shortage of mango production coupled with further addition of two weeks in the harvesting period of the mango crops and besides delay in maturity of the mango crops the resilient capability of mangoes against various diseases is also getting weakened. Due to these factors, the current mango season is likely to witness a significant drop in production of mangoes. The overall production of mangoes in the provinces of Sindh and Punjab is anticipated to be 1800000 tons, however due to the effect of the climatic changes the possibility of reduction in production by 15% cannot be ruled out.
According to Syed Zahid Hussain Gardezi, the comprehensive research process to evaluate serious impacts of climatic changes on mango crops as well other major crops has not yet been initiated which could have otherwise provided guidance to the farmers & growers and advice for precautionary measures to curtail low productivity and reduce financial losses. It’s comprehensive and realistic research & development plan being an integral part of the “Horticulture Vision-2030”, a road map developed by the PFVA for the uplift of the Horticulture sector & by implementation of this vision in letter & spirit, the effect of the climatic changes can be drastically minimized.
He emphasized that in order to accomplish the mango export target, cohesive teamwork, support, cooperation and co-ordination among all stakeholders including Department of Plant Protection (DPP), Customs, and Sea & Airport authorities is imperative. He said that two mango treatment facilities for South Punjab have been approved by Australian authorities for enhancing export of mangoes.
