LAHORE: The citrus fruit exports have increased during the last three years and contributed an amount of Rs42,159 million to the national exchequer.
The exports which were Rs10,595.7 million in 2010-11 jumped to Rs15,584.3 million in July-April 2012-13. Only in 2011-12, citrus fruit exports was registered Rs15,978.2 million.
Sources said that the export of citrus fruit will further increase during the current year owing to good measures adopted by the government. They said calculation of foreign exchange at this stage is not possible as it depends upon the international market prices of citrus fruit, which fluctuate time to time.
They also enumerated the steps and said the government established PHDEC in Lahore to enhance production, development and export of horticultural products including citrus fruits. A Common Facility Centre has also been developed in Karachi on Public Private Partnership which inter alia includes facility of cold storage for the fruits including citrus, they added.
They said Ministry of Commerce & Textile Industry is in coordination with All Pakistan Fruits, Vegetables Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association to address the issues reported by exporters of fruits & vegetables including citrus.
