Pakistan earned over $30m in revenue from exporting citrus fruits

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan exported a total of 105,690.3 metric tons (MT) of citrus fruits, generating a revenue of $30.9 million from July to December 2024.

The National Assembly was informed on Monday that the largest export destination was Afghanistan, which imported 77,547.44 MT, contributing $16.72 million, or over 54% of total revenue. This highlights Afghanistan’s dominance as the primary market for Pakistani citrus fruits. Other significant importers of citrus fruits from Pakistan included the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with 9,173.09 MT exported, generating $3.99 million, and Indonesia, which imported 6,384.01 MT and contributed $3.30 million. These three markets collectively accounted for the majority of both volume and revenue.

Markets like Oman (2,845.39 MT, $1.25 million) and Sri Lanka (2,445.96 MT, $1.14 million) also played an essential role in sustaining citrus exports. European destinations such as Italy (81.38 MT, $0.28 million and Belgium (36.40 MT, $0.17 million) demonstrated moderate demand, while markets in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines (1,674.43 MT., $0.81 million) and Singapore (290.52 MT, $0.13 million), offered additional diversification opportunities.

Despite smaller volumes, countries such as Kazakhstan, Kuwait, and Canada contributed significantly to the overall revenue. For instance, Kazakhstan imported 1,514.15 MT, generating $0.64 million, while Kuwait imported 555.88 MT and contributed $0.73 million. This performance underscores the strategic importance of regional markets like Afghanistan and the UAE for volume-driven growth, while premium markets such as Italy and Kazakhstan offer opportunities for higher revenue per metric ton.

The National Assembly was also apprised that the United Kingdom has been the larger importer of mango which often referred to as the “King of Fruits. Pakistan imported 4783 metric tons (MT) valuing 17.97 million dollars of mango of different varieties from July to December, 2024.

The UK also imported 24.42 million dollars mango during the year 2023-24 and 20.23 million dollars mango during the year 2022-23. Minister for Trade, Jamal Kamal Khan in written reply to a question said that 10.85 million dollars mangoes were exported to UAE, Kazakhstan 14.49 million dollars, Germany 2.58 million dollars, Canada 1.39 million dollars. Saudi Arabia 2.11 million dollars, Oman 2.04 million dollars and Qatar imported 1.53 million dollar of mangoes.

Pakistan’s mango exports over the past five years tell a story of resilience, adaptation, and strategic market expansion. While traditional markets like the UAE remain vital, the emergence of Central Asian and European destinations reflects the growing global recognition of Pakistani mangoes.