MULTAN City News

50pc mango export target achieved
From Nadeem Shah
MULTAN: Over 46,000 metric tonnes of mango have so far been exported to more than 17 European and Middle East countries, which is the 50 per cent of the export target. It is expected that the mango export will continue till next month (August), thus entertaining the export orders and achieving 100 per cent target, it is learnt on Thursday.
“Pakistan has achieved almost 50 per cent mango export target successfully and is expected to bring more than $4 million foreign exchange to the country at the end of mango export season,” revealed officials.
Exporters say the mango export expenses have increased when compared with last year when each tonne of mango incurred $240 to 250 dollars, which is expected to be $300 to $400 per tonne this year.
On the other hand, the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) officials have rejected the rumours of imposing ban on Pakistani mango after receiving non-compliance on two shipments, while it has banned two companies responsible for quarantine requirements.
Sources in DPP Directorate confided to The News that Roshan Enterprises and Omer Enterprises had been banned and it was considering focusing on Lahore for mango export instead of Karachi to avoid threats concerning quarantine requirements.
The total export stands at 46,147 metric tonnes during the half of the current season compared to 92,000 metric tonnes exported last year to different countries and the same quantity is expected to be exported during the current season. The United Kingdom is a major mango importer from Pakistan and 3,144 metric tonnes of mangoes have so far been sent there.
The Pakistani mango has been exported to Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Norway, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Denmark, Spain, Australia, Saudi Arab, Qatar, UAE, Iran, Bangladesh, Oman, United States, Canada, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Bahrain, Japan, China, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Singapore, DPP senior official told The News.
Sources said Pakistan had ensured hot water treatment, compulsory for the mangoes destined for the EU, to avoid being barred from the market. The procedure had been decided with the Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association (PFVA) and the Ministry of National Food Security and Research.
The quarantine department is inspecting hot water treatment facilities in Punjab, which is available in Karachi. After receiving non-compliance on two shipments, the DPP is considering mango export from Lahore to avoid long travel from south Punjab to Karachi and reducing the expenses of growers.
Officials rejected the rumours of banning the Pakistani mangoes by United Kingdom and said there was no reality in the reports, saying the export of Indian mangoes to the UK had been banned last year. Now the European Union also has lifted ban on Indian mangoes on completing quarantine requirement and first Indian Alphanso mango variety reached the UK in March last after the ban was lifted.
The EU banned Indian mangoes and four other vegetables from May 2014. The EU made it compulsory that the Indian mangoes should undergo either hot water or vapour heat treatments, used by Japan and proposed by the Indian Agriculture and Processed Foods Export Development Authority (APEDA), to eliminate the fruit fly.