Sunday, August 21, 2011

Pakistani Mangoes Arrive in America

The first commercial shipment of about 800 boxes of Pakistani Chausa mango arrived in the United States at the beginning of Ramadan. All of it was immediately sold out at a steep price of $60-$100 for a box of six chausa mangoes, making it the costliest fruit in America. Prior to this new record price, India's Alphonso mango was the most expensive variety of fruit in the US, with a box (weighing about 3 kg and containing nine to 12 mangoes) being sold this year at $40 to $80 in the retail market, according to Hindustan Times.

Currently, Mexican mango varieties are widely available in the United States at fairly low prices. A box of 6 Kent or 12 Ataulfo mangoes retails for about $10 to $15. Ataulfo is a small, very sweet and juicy, kidney-shaped mango with delicate skin. Kent is also very sweet and about twice the size and weight of Ataulfo. Both of these varieties are popular with the people of South Asian origin in America. Others include Haden and Keitt. Some of these varieties are also grown in southern parts of California and Florida in tropical climates.

Mangoes have been grown in South Asia for thousands of years. Among South Asian nations, India is the largest grower and the biggest exporter of mangoes with 13.6 million tons produced each year. Pakistan is the fifth largest producer and third largest exporter of mangoes with annual production of about 2 million tons a year. Pakistan accounts for 8.5% of world’s mango crop and mainly exports to the Middle East, Iran, Germany, Japan, China and Hong Kong.

Beginning in the 16th century, mango seeds and plants gradually found their way to many other parts of the world as the world trade expanded, reaching the Americas in the 19th century, starting with Florida's Cape Sable in 1833. In addition to India and Pakistan, nations such as China, Indonesia, Thailand, Mexico, Brazil, and the Philippines are now also among the world's biggest producers of mangoes.

Mangoes are known to be rich in vitamin A, C and E and fiber as well as various anti-oxidants considered be healthy. Some of the claims made for health benefits of mango include healthy skin, improved digestion, better memory, increased sex drive, and resistance against heart disease and cancer.



While the first batch of the latest import of Pakistani Chausa has been snapped up by mango lovers at exorbitant prices, it is hard to imagine Pakistani-Americans' readiness to pay such huge premium over Ataulfo and Kent on an ongoing basis. I would personally be willing to pay $20 to $30 a box, still a hefty premium of 100% over what's currently available in California, to enjoy the superior taste, texture and flavor of Pakistani Chausa. I expect that the price will eventually get there as the imports of Pakistani Chaunsa in North America scale up over time.

Over time, let's hope that these sweet Pakistani mangoes will also help sweeten the US-Pakistan ties which have considerably soured since the US secret raid in Pakistan to kill bin Laden in May of this year.

Pakistani Chaunsa mangoes are now available online at pksweetmagoes.com

Here's a CBC video clip of Pakistani chausa selling in Toronto, Canada:



Related Links:

Haq's Musings

Pakistanis' Dietary Habits

Food, Clothing and Shelter in India and Pakistan

Pakistan's Rural Economy

Pakistan's 64 Years of Independence

53 comments:

Idrees said...

In CA they are selling for 35$/box (6 mangoes)

Riaz Haq said...

Idrees: "In CA they are selling for 35$/box (6 mangoes)"

Where?

Idrees said...

"East food sacramento. They will receive their second shipment on tuesday.

Contact chodhury amin

Idrees said...

Actually name is east west food, sacramento

Mohammad said...

This is the best news from Pakistan in a long time. Maybe we can start mango diplomacy-:)

Riaz Haq said...

Mohammad: "This is the best news from Pakistan in a long time. Maybe we can start mango diplomacy-:)"

Over time, let's hope that these sweet Pakistani mangoes will also help sweeten the US-Pakistan ties.

Mayraj said...

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Mangoes-at-war-in-US-market/Article1-735702.aspx
Mangoes at war in US market

Riaz Haq said...

Here's a blog post about Pakistani mangoes by Alberto Rodriguez who serves as Spokesperson at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan:

Members of Pakistan's mango industry gathered at a conference in Islamabad today to celebrate the successful 2010 mango season. It was the best year in the history of Pakistan's mango exports. With U.S. support, Pakistani mango growers began exporting to European markets, upgraded infrastructure, and prepared for shipments to the United States.

Demand for mangoes is growing around the world. With annual production exceeding 1.5 million tons, Pakistan's mango sector is poised for tremendous growth. This puts mango exports on track to directly benefit two million Pakistanis, generate employment, and boost the economy, especially in Southern Punjab and Northern Sindh.

"The American people have been working hand in hand with Pakistani mango farmers, government officials, and entrepreneurs to get Pakistan's mangoes into the international markets," said Andrew Sisson, Pakistan Mission Director for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

USAID helped local producers ship mangoes by sea to major fruit and vegetable importers in Europe for the first time. USAID also supported introduction of internationally recognized quality certification, helped upgrade infrastructure, and assisted in setting up links with international buyers. Pakistan's first-ever mango exports to the United States are expected in 2011.

"Pakistan's mango farmers have demonstrated tremendous dedication and investment this past year, with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and U.S. Government support," said Federal Minister of Agriculture, Nazar Muhammad Gondal. "Their successes will encourage other Pakistani farmers to attain international standards and certifications and compete in the international mango market."


http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/pakistan_mango_exports/

Anonymous said...

Cool. I actually miss the mangoes from India. The ones that are available in US stores are awful to say the best. I am hoping with more export from India and Pakistan, the prices would come down and we would get to eat 'real' mangoes :)

Anonymous said...

Riaz, Mangoes are also high in sugar and for diabetic prone people like Indians and Pakistanis, it is not a good fruit.

Riaz Haq said...

Anon: "Mangoes are also high in sugar and for diabetic prone people like Indians and Pakistanis, it is not a good fruit. "

Not all sugars are alike.

Mango was recently identified as a particularly useful food when it comes to the fight against diabetes, and a new study conducted in Australia concretes this. Furthermore, mango could also have a role to play in the treatment of metabolic disorders, although research is at an early stage.

Eating a mango every day could protect people against high cholesterol as well as diabetes. The study, conducted by PhD student Ashley Wilkinson at the University of Queensland, indicates that components within mango operate in a similar manner to some diabetes and cholesterol drugs.

Miss Wilkinson said: "There's been a lot of research looking at nutritional bioactives but it's focused on more temperate fruit like broccoli and grapes. And there hasn't been any research looking at tropical fruit in the context of looking at modulating cellular processes."

A doctor of the school of pharmacy at UQ agreed: "We don't know yet how the whole thing's going to play out but we know some of the individual components activate these receptors or even inhibit them. That could end up with positive nutritional health benefits for diabetes and high cholesterol."

High cholesterol is a major indicator of metabolic syndrome, a by-word for pre-diabetes in many cases.

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/news/2006/Nov/Mango-good-for-diabetes-and-pre-diabetes.html

Manzar said...

would like to get Langra and Anwar rathol and saroli beside the chausa.

Riaz Haq said...

Pakistan produces 13.67 million tones of fruits and vegetables per annum, according to Online News:

An official told Online on Tuesday out of which about 25 per cent goes waste, between farms to consumers, while only 4 per cent is exported at far 41 per cent lower price compared to world average price.

The horticulture sector contributes about 12 per cent to the national agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and holds great potential for increasing export of quality horticultural produce, and offering multiple employment opportunities throughout the supply chain, he added.

The official said, “However, its growth & profitability is restrained mainly by lack of proper post harvest management and transport infrastructure. Improving post harvest management infrastructure (grading, packing, storage and transport/cold-chain) will help reduce high post harvest losses, increase production surplus along with improving shelf life and quality of fresh produce, which will help to stabilize prices in domestic markets as well as to substantially boost export to highly lucrative and competitive international markets.”

It is pertinent to mention here that Ministry of Commerce had decided to establish a “Cool Chain System” under “National Trade Corridor Improvement Project”. The Cool Chain project is bound act as a backbone for the development of supply chain infrastructure for horticulture produce.

http://www.onlinenews.com.pk/details.php?id=187430

Riaz Haq said...

Pakistan to irradiate mangoes exported to US, reports The News:

Pakistan will obtain a US irradiation unit for the treatment of mango in a bid to boost the fruit’s export, Chief Executive Officer Harvest Trading, Ahmad Jawad, said on Tuesday.

Irradiation is a process to preserve food items by using radiations. Presently, the fruit has first to be transported to Lowa city in the United States for the treatment, Jawad said.

Growers and exporters of mango on Tuesday called for evolving a marketing strategy involving Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company (PHDEC) to capture new markets.

“The United States is one of the biggest importers of mangoes produced globally with a share of almost 44 percent and Pakistan has great potential for boosting its to that country”, Jawad said.

He said that Pakistani mangoes are famous world over for their sweet flavour with more than 40 different varieties, it is the world’s sixth largest producer. But unfortunately less than only five percent of the cultivated crop is exported, he added.

Jawad said that currently, the Middle East was importing 65 percent of the total produce and it can be enhanced by extended efforts and facilities to the growers.

The Harvest Trading has also been in touch with the private sector in South America to set up relationships and persuade their embassies to let them import Pakistani mangoes, he added.

On the other hand Indian mango exporters are losing ground to their Pakistani counterparts in the US market. The exports of this exotic fruit from India, which started in 2007 is seeing a continuous decline over past three years, he added.

Data shows export of mangoes from India to US declined by 13.4 percent in 2009-10 at 175.40 tons from 202.64 tons in 2008-09. In 2010-11, export saw a steeper decline of 22.1 percent at 136.70 tons.


http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=85623&Cat=3

Riaz Haq said...

Here's a Daily Times story on hot water treatment of Pak mangoes for export:

Pakistan’s largest hot water treatment plant for removal of various diseases in mango was inaugurated on Saturday. It has been established under the public-private partnership according to the standard of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), World Health Organisation (WHO) and International Quarantine Standards by the name of Pakistani Horti Fresh Processing (Pvt) Ltd.

The project which was completed in record period of 20 months with its inception has helped to open three new markets for mangoes including Mauritius, Lebanon and South Korea while the Australia is expected to be approved soon which would greatly help boosting Pakistan’s mango exports during the coming ongoing season.

Pakistani mangoes have nine diseases in common, which was unacceptable in the international market but with the start of the operational activities of the new plant, importers have expressed their keenness to place large-scale order for the most desired fruit of the summer season.

It may be recalled here that majority of countries have placed strict conditions regarding import of fruits from across-the-globe and in case of mango, they have requirement of their hot water treatment on 48 degree centigrade for 65 minutes, which makes the fruit acceptable for import purpose.

Currently, Pakistan’s total average mango export stands at 150,000 tonnes which is hardly 8.0 percent of the total annual production of 1.6 million tonnes, which was usually attributed by the exporters on account of limited market access to Pakistani exporters.

Durrani Associates has established the project in collaboration with Ministry of Commerce. Its chief executive highlighting salient features of the project, said that the plant installed has the capacity to process 15 tonnes of the fruit per hour pn 48 C for 60 to 65 minutes.

Similarly for the first time, Ethylene Chamber facility was also used which give colour to mango by food graded Ethylene having no harmful impact on human health as compared to carbide which is widely used in the country for ripening fruit and is spelling harmful diseases for fruit consumers.

He claimed that the biggest breakthrough created by the Pakistan Horti Fresh processing is that now mangoes can be shipped by sea for destinations as far as UK and Canada with shelf life of 35 days.

As compared to by air freight of mangoes to UK which costs Rs 137 per kilogramme (kg) charged by Emirates Airline, the new technology would cost a mere Rs 12 per kg, which would herald new life in exports of fruits to different countries across the globe.


http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2012\06\10\story_10-6-2012_pg5_14

Riaz Haq said...

Here's Daily Times on mango export processing in Pakistan:

Pakistan is considered as a country, lagging behind the developed world regarding science and technology, but the situation was not as much worst as seen, because Pakistan has an edge in treatment of mangoes and its shelving.

Mango is a well-regarded fruit and is known as ‘King of fruits’. Mango appears in local markets as the summer season commences.

Globally, it is one of the most eaten fruits. As many as 11 countries, including Pakistan export mangoes. To meet the global standards, mangoes are treated before export. There are four ways of treatment, out of which three are recognised across the world: hot water treatment (HWT), vapor heat treatment (VHT) and radiation.

There are nine types of bacteria that prevail in mangoes. To kill all of those, in most common way of hot water treatment, mangoes are treated with hot water for one hour, during which the temperature is managed at 75 degree centigrade. Resultantly, the pores at mangoes surface get rupture and its shelving become difficult.

Pakistan has a double edge in regard with treatment and shelving of mangoes. The country has a capacity to treat 15 tonnes of mangoes per hour. Besides this, Pakistani private sector has ability of shelving mangoes for 35 days after treatment, however, the rest of exporter countries could shelve mangoes for maximum seven days.

Recently, Pakistan has achieved another significant achievement in export of mangoes sector. Pakistani has recently initiated to export mangoes to China, which itself is the second largest producer and one among the largest consumers of mangoes.

Though China itself produce mangoes in massive quantity, it still is a vast market for Pakistani mangoes as locally produced mango is small in size and less sweet, however, Chinese people like larger in size and sweeter mangoes and Pakistani types of mangoes all their desired qualities.

AQ Khan Durrani, the owner of treatment plants in Pakistan and exporter of mangoes to China, said while talking to the Daily Times that China is biggest country in term of population and is 2nd largest producer of mango in the world with production of 4.5 million tonnes of mangoes annually. Chinese people like mangoes a lot and while exploring this big market of ‘mango lovers’, Pakistan can earn millions of dollar in fruit sector.

“China can be the biggest market of Pakistan mangoes and within three years Pakistani export can be doubled,” he added.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Pakistan produces 1.6 to two million tons of mangoes annually and was ranked fourth to fifth among producer countries of mango. The dire need of hour is that the government should follow and respond to the achievements and strive of private sector, which is going to explore even largest producer countries of mango as consumer market.

Pakistan would become the largest producer and exporter of mangoes due to the quality of local mango, if the government supports the sector. This also would result in very positive impacts on local economy and the position of the country as well.


http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2012\07\09\story_9-7-2012_pg7_16

Riaz Haq said...

Here's a BR report on Pakistani mangoes:

Pakistan produces over 150 varieties of mango and among these Chaunsa and Sindhri have great potential for finding buyers in the international markets.

Talking to APP on Monday Secretary Agriculture Punjab Muhammad Mushtaq Ahmed said Punjab holds 67 percent of the total area and produces 80 percent of country's mango.

He said total production of mangoes in Punjab during 2011-12 was 1.304 tons and Pakistan is of high quality with good aroma, excellent appearance, special taste and flavor along with sufficient quantity of fiber content thus enjoying a prominent position in the international market.

To a question, he said Pakistan produces over 1.75 million tons of mangoes out of which 127 tons are exported, currently only 5 percent of the total mango produce is processed in to value added items like pulp for use in drinks and ice cream, canned mangoes and dried mangoes.

He said Pakistan exported mangoes worth $ 29 million to the Middle East and EU in 2009 and Malaysia, China and Hong Kong are other valuable trading partners.


http://www.brecorder.com/pakistan/business-a-economy/68148-pakistan-produces-over-150-varieties-of-mango-.html

Riaz Haq said...

Here's NY Times blog post in Pakistani mangoes:

With their golden yellow, blushing pink and pale green hues coloring markets by the cart-full, Pakistani mangoes are a source of national joy and pride. But bad luck — and poor logistics — are now threatening Pakistan’s king of fruits.

The country is the fifth-largest producer and third-largest exporter of mangoes in the world. For as long as I can remember, mangoes have turned oppressive summers into seasons of celebration and amity. Friends and families share crates of the finest mangoes. Rival tribes exchange baskets to resolve arguments. Hotels and restaurants host mango festivals featuring mango puppets or 4-foot-high, mango-shaped cardboard cutouts strung with streamers.

Pakistan’s love affair with the mango is culturally ingrained. Mirza Ghalib, the foremost Urdu-language poet of the Mughal era, was an avid mango eater who measured his health and joie de vivre by the number of mangoes he was able to consume.

Nothing (except perhaps cricket) will stir Pakistani nationalism more than the suggestion that another country’s mangoes could taste half as good as Pakistan’s. The only point of contention is which of the country’s hundreds of mango varieties is the most delicious: chaunsa, langara, sindhri, anwar ratol? (My vote goes to the subtle and aromatic anwar ratol.)
-----------
But this summer’s crop has not met expectations — some mango varieties ripened too late in the season, others are too small or are lacking in taste or texture. Pakistan is now likely to fail to meet its mango export target of 150,000 tons by September, instead managing to export only 100,000 tons.

This is partly because of last year’s monsoon and subsequent flooding, which reduced mango productivity by 30 percent. According to some estimates, up to a quarter of all mango farms in the southern province of Sindh were completely washed out.
--------


http://latitude.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/31/the-mango-pakistans-king-of-fruits-may-not-meet-expectations/

Riaz Haq said...

Here's an ET report on Pak mangoes exports to US made unprofitable by irradiation restrictions:

Pakistani exporters are abandoning much-publicised mango exports to the United States after just a year because American requirements made profit margins too narrow, members of the industry said Monday.

In 2011, Pakistani growers exported five tons of the country’s signature fruit to the United States and had hoped for a higher yield this year.

But if exports grind to a halt, it could prove embarrassing for efforts dubbed “mango diplomacy” in 2010 when US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton offered to help Pakistan export the fruit in a bid to ease anti-Americanism.

The US embassy was unavailable for comment, but announced in January that US support had helped select mango growers increase regional exports by more than 60 percent and revenue by more than $4 million over the past year.

Pakistani officials confirmed the assistance, but said sending mangoes to the United States was not cost effective.

“Pakistan cannot export mangoes to the United States this season because of certain restrictions, which the growers feel makes the business unprofitable,” Kashif Niazi, an official at the commerce ministry, told AFP.

An official at the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, which regulates exports, said producers had been annoyed by compulsory US irradiation in Chicago that ate into their profits.

Although Pakistan has its own irradiation plant, it has not been approved by the United States. Transporting the mangoes to the United States has been another expense and complication, the Pakistanis added.

Asif Iqbal, a mango grower in Sargodha district of Punjab province, told AFP that unless the irradiation issue was resolved and more US markets found “it will never be profitable for us to do business with America”.

A Pakistani official speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity confirmed that US aid had helped modernise mango production and improve exports, particularly to the Gulf.


http://tribune.com.pk/story/418256/pakistan-to-halt-mango-exports-to-us/

Riaz Haq said...

Here's Express Tribune on Pakistani mangoes exports to China:

After years of struggle, Pakistan finally added one of the world’s largest markets for its mangoes – China. The development, a major breakthrough in mango exports, will add millions of dollars to the country’s foreign reserves.

“Pakistan’s mangoes have become a centre of attraction in the largest retail chain of China – Walmart – where the king of fruit is being offered for sale,” Durrani Associates, one of the largest fruit exporters, said in a statement on Saturday.

The exporter was able to access the Chinese market, currently dominated by Taiwanese, Filipino and Thai varieties, after a sample of mangoes, shipped by sea a month ago, earned overwhelming success at Walmart stores.

The shipment contained two containers with 40 tons of mangoes. Firm’s Chairman Abdul Qadir Khan Durrani also visited China at that time and met with representatives of Walmart, which had 370 stores in 140 cities and four municipalities of China by March 1.

“It took us a while before we got clearance from Beijing,” Durrani said. The containers were held at the port and 20 cartons each were taken from both the containers for inspection, he said. After a week-long process, the Quarantine Department cleared the shipment by declaring that the mangoes were free from all diseases.

According to the statement, a three-member team of Chinese importers will visit Pakistan next week to strike an agreement for purchase of 100 tons of mangoes for Walmart stores in the running season.

The delegation will also visit the hot water treatment (HWT) plant – a facility set up for the processing and treatment of mangoes to meet international standards. They will inspect the arrangements for quality control.
---------
In China, mangoes of Thailand are selling at $1.5 per mango, the amount the company pays in air freight alone, making it impossible to compete, Durrani said.

“Exporting mangoes by sea to China is a big breakthrough,” Abdul Qadir Khan Durrani, the chairman, said because it will bring freight cost down to $0.75 per mango, which means Pakistan’s mangoes can sell for about $1.25 in Chinese stores.

China is one of the countries that applies global standards on mango imports. To meet the standards, mangoes are treated before export. There are four known ways of treatment, out of which three are recognised across the world – HWT, vapour heat treatment (VHT) and radiation.
------------
Pakistan has a capacity to treat 15 tons of mangoes per hour. The private sector has the ability to shelve mangoes for 35 days after treatment while other exporting countries could shelve mangoes for maximum seven days, the statement claimed.

According to the chairman, Pakistan is world’s 5th largest producer of mango, which can produce up to 2 million tons. Mango varieties particularly Sindhri, Chaunsa and Sunehri can beat others because of their taste, he said.

“China can be the biggest market of Pakistani mangoes and within three years exports can be doubled,” he added.


http://tribune.com.pk/story/423993/new-destination-pakistani-mangoes-to-be-sold-in-walmart-china/

Riaz Haq said...

Here's a FreshPlaza story on peach farming in Pakistan:

The United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Firms Project has successfully trained 449 peach farm SMEs in Swat, Pakistan under a USD 600,000 revitalization program, that aims to facilitate them in gaining access to greater revenues and market linkages; and make overall infrastructure improvements to strengthen the sector.

Swat relies heavily on the horticulture sector with 67 percent of the total peaches produced in Pakistan coming from Swat. In recent years however, calamities have wreaked havoc on agriculture, affecting sales and jobs in the region. The main constraints to growth include lack of infrastructure, poor access to inputs, market linkages, credit facilities, untrained workforce, and poor management practices affecting the quality and yield of the produce.

USAID’s assistance to the Pakistan's peach sector includes trainings, infrastructure, supplies, technical support, tools, and certifications for peach farm SMEs of Swat, under a cost sharing agreement. 449 peach farm SMEs that signed agreements with USAID Firms Project earlier this month received pre and post harvest trainings as part of the capacity building component of this assistance. 150 SMEs have received in-kind support in the form of pruning kits, harvesting kits, and corrugated cartons. Distribution to the remaining 299 will finish by the end of July. The tools and equipment will help ensure minimum damage to fruit during harvest, thereby reducing losses to the growers. To coordinate the effort, cluster leaders have been appointed who ensure a smooth flow of operations with farm SMEs within their clusters and work with them to increase output.

Together these interventions will help peach farm SMEs in adopting best management practices and peach farming techniques, attaining larger scale production, increasing yield, and tapping into competitive new markets. Atta Ullah, a local peach grower from Swat said, “These pruning and harvesting kits and all the other assistance from USAID will benefit the smaller farms and increase the revenue for these SMEs by 10 percent.” Another grower explained “We have learnt so many things we can do better. The training brings new management practices to us and is helping us access gains which were not possible before”.

To further strengthen the sector, USAID Pakistan Firms Project is providing assistance to these SMEs for competitive marketing and product placement, and creating linkages between SMEs from Swat and large-scale buyers and retailers. An existing peach pulping unit in Swat will also be up-graded with modern infrastructure to meet the demand of peach pulp.


http://www.freshplaza.com/news_detail.asp?id=100449

Riaz Haq said...

Here's a Dawn report on Pakistan's rising citrus exports:

The exports of Pakistani citrus have registered an increase of 70 per cent in a year, Minister for Commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim told National Assembly on Wednesday.

In a written reply to the question of Ms Nighat Parveen Mir, he said the exports of citrus have been increased up to US$162.6 million from July to March in the year 2011-12 compared to US$95.8 million during the corresponding period last year.

The country has also exported 247,909 metric ton mangoes to various countries from 2008 to 2010-11. In the year 2008-09, as many as 73,437 metric ton mangoes were exported, while 84,921 MT mangoes were exported in 2009-10, and 89,551 MT mangoes were exported in 2010-11.

In a written reply to another question he said, European Union – the union of 27 European countries is the largest business partner of Pakistan. EU had already announced concession on 75 products for Pakistan subject to waiver. The matter is now with European Parliament for legislation before implementation. Pakistan is making diplomatic efforts for getting concessions on 75 products.

He said Pakistan will qualify for duty free access to EU from January 1, 2014 as the country has ratified all the 27 international conventions.

In reply to another question he said, Pakistan and India are in the process of normalizing bilateral trade relations under resumed composite dialogue. As a first step, negative list of 1,209 tariff lines have been notified.

With the phasing out of negative list by December 31, 2012, complete trade normalization with India will be in place subject to the removal of the non-tariff barriers by the Indian government.

In written reply to question he said, country’s imports stands at $34.82 million during 2008-09, $34.71 million in 2009-10, $ US 40.41 million in 2010-11, and $44.91 million in 2011-12.

The volume of trade between Pakistan and Africa was $2.4 billion and $3.09 billion respectively.


http://dawn.com/2012/09/05/citrus-exports-register-70-percent-increase-in-one-year/

Riaz Haq said...

Here's a BR story on Pak-Aus collaboration in horticulture and dairy sectors:

FAISALABAD: Australian and Pakistani scientists are striving to boost productivity of mango, citrus and dairy.



This was stated by Dr John Spriggs, a professor of Australian Institute for Sustainable Communities, University of Canberra, while addressing participants of Australia-Pakistan Agriculture Sector Linkages Program (ASLP II) research group meeting at Syndicate Hall of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) here on Friday.



He said horticultural and dairy sectors of Pakistan had great productivity potential, which was not being exploited as per capacity. He emphasized scientists to device farmers friendly solutions and packages.



He maintained that ASLP-II project would provide guidelines towards destination of prosperity and rural development. He was of the view that the three-year duration project had been initiated under developed areas of Sindh and Punjab.
-----------

ASLP 2 will:

Enhance selected value chains that benefit the rural poor through improved productivity market and employment opportunities
Support analysis that improves economic and natural resource management
Build the capacity of government, private and civil sectors to service the needs of stakeholders across the program.

ASLP 2 features:

implementation within value-chain frameworks, with additional attention to benefiting the poor and marginalized
focus on horticulture (mango and citrus) and livestock (dairy) sectors, with scope to later extend to other industries
attention to underlying policy, and institutional and technical capacity building
support for baseline assessment of the poverty and gender dimensions, and the modalities and technologies for modern communication within the industries, to broaden improvements and to enhance benefit flows to the poor and marginalised
poverty, gender and communication studies to strengthen capacity for better targeting of effort and extension delivery, and enhance intra- and inter-project collaboration and engagement with industry.


http://www.brecorder.com/pakistan/business-a-economy/88746-australia-pakistan-agri-research-group-meeting-.html

http://aciar.gov.au/aslp

Hopewins said...

Mangoes, Chadar, Leather, Rice = Lack of diversification. This is exactly what I have been saying.

QUOTE March 08, 2013:

MISSING EXPORT OPPORTUNITIES In 1980 Pakistan was still substantially ahead of Turkey and Indonesia in the level of its manufactured exports and had about a quarter of Indian exports, though it had already fallen behind Malaysia, Philippines and Mexico in the 1970s. But thirty years later Pakistan's manufactured exports are less than 30 percent of Indonesia's level and only 18 percent of Turkey's. India's exports are now 8-9 times larger while Vietnam a new comer to the field has manufactured exports three times that of Pakistan.

The following table which provides a comparison on the basis of total exports of goods and services presents clear evidence of how far Pakistan has fallen in orienting its economy to exports, virtually the engine of global growth. China and most other East Asian countries are in a class by themselves but traditionally inward looking economies like India, Turkey, and Bangladesh have increased their export orientation remarkably in the last thirty years. In 1980 India had an export to GDP ratio (6 percent) half that of Pakistan (12 percent) but now its ratio at 23 percent far exceeds that of Pakistan. Even Bangladesh has moved ahead in this respect.

Among large developing countries Pakistan has the least diversified pattern of manufactured exports with the exception of Bangladesh. More than 75 percent of Pakistan's manufactured goods exports consist of textiles and clothing compared with less than 12 percent for developing countries as a group and 6.5 percent for world as a whole. While Pakistan is a major exporter of textiles and clothing, accounting for nearly 2 percent of world exports, its exports of manufactured goods other than textiles and clothing are very small. At $4.5 billion in 2011 they were only 0.04 percent of world manufactured goods exports. For comparison, Vietnam a relative new exporter had other manufactured goods exports ten times that of Pakistan in 2011.

READMORE: http://alturl.com/7twd2

Riaz Haq said...

You really haven't lived until you have tasted Pakistani mangoes, particularly Chaunsa and Anwar Ritol

Pakistan has started commercial exports of mangoes to the US – the world’s biggest and arguably the most lucrative market of mangoes.
The first consignment of 2.9 tons has already been sold out just within a few hours of reaching stores in Houston and Dallas – the two US cities with a considerable Pakistani Diaspora – while another shipment of six tons is going to be airlifted this week. After covering Houston and Dallas, their next consignment will be directed to New York – the biggest concentration of Pakistani community in the US.
The company behind all this is not a renowned one. In fact, its owners are exporting mangoes to the US for the first time and they have completed all the necessary arrangements – from US import permit certificate to the shipment – within three months.
“It all started when a Pakistani American told my partner three months ago that the Pakistani community wants to taste Pakistani mangoes. And, that he should do something,” Farm House Export Director Naveed Nadir told The Express Tribune in an interview. “My partner and I took it as a challenge and we finally succeeded in our goal.”
“I think in the past Pakistani exporters did not pursue the right channels to reduce the export costs, which is why no Pakistani exporter succeeded in exporting mangoes to the US markets,” said Nadir. The two partners said that they wanted to bring in the best taste of Pakistan mangoes to their customers in the US. “One of the reasons why we have made mango exports feasible in the US is our route through which we are completing the necessary irradiation process in Houston.
“Our cost of irradiation in Houston is just 50 cents per kg compared to the other irradiation facility in Chicago whose price is $5 per kg,” he added.
Food irradiation is a promising food safety technology that eliminates disease-causing germs from foods. Since the US authorities want to complete the irradiation process at its facilities, many Pakistani exporters get discouraged in exporting to the US. “We have completed all the safety requirements of the US authorities so we are sure if anyone comply all the required packaging requirement, he or she can also export mangoes to the US,” he said.
According to Nadir, the retail price of his 2.5kg mango pack is $25, which is reasonable compared to Indian mangoes available in the market. The retail price of Indian Kesar is $30 per a 3kg pack while the world-renowned Alphonso mangoes are available in $35 per 3kg pack.
Currently, Mexican and other South American mango varieties are widely imported in the United States, along with Indian and Australian mangoes. It is for the first time that Pakistan has got an opportunity to supply the country’s mango to the US market.
The USA remains the most important destination for mango exporters, having an annual demand of 200,000 tons.
Farm House Export wants to export over 100 tons of mangoes to the US in this season.

http://tribune.com.pk/story/723311/broadening-horizons-pakistani-mangoes-make-their-way-into-us-households/

Haroon said...

There is another event which will create a huge market of Pakistani Mangos In CIS. First time this year Pakistani Mangos have been imported and received excellent welcome.

Riaz Haq said...

The export prospects of citrus fruits have improved as production is up and exporters anticipate sending larger shipments to a widening foreign market. Exporters expect kinnow alone to fetch $200m this season, up from about $175m last year, as they see a real boost in orders from Indonesia.

During a week-long visit to Indonesian cities last month, a 15-member delegation of the Sargodha Chamber of Commerce and Industry found that the demand for kinnow is rising there. Kinnow exports to Indonesia surged last year after a mutual recognition agreement on sanitary and phyto sanitary measures for agricultural products became effective. Besides this, the waiver of customs duty on purchase of Pakistani kinnow under the preferential trade agreement should continue to boost exports to Indonesia.

Meanwhile, the recent Russian move to ban imports of fruits and vegetables from the US and the EU is also fuelling optimism among kinnow exporters, who believe that the ban would eventually benefit fruit and vegetable exporters of Pakistan and other Asian nations. Last year, Russia had lifted the ban it had imposed earlier on Pakistani citrus fruits, but only after the export season had already peaked. Exporters anticipate a real rise this season.

They also expect larger orders from Malaysia, UAE, Saudi Arabia and other GCC nations, in addition to some European countries, because of improved processing, grading and packaging of citrus fruits.

After the successful launching of mango farm tracking earlier this year, Pakistan is now replicating this initiative with citrus fruits. Relevant officials began surveying kinnow farms in Punjab from early October. The survey is aimed at identifying the farms eligible for certification and standardisation for EU markets.

A higher projected production of 2.1-2.2m tonnes, up slightly from last year, is sure to enhance export volumes, say officials of the Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company.

Final official figures for last season’s exports are not available, but exporters claim they surpassed the target of 300,000 tonnes. This season’s target remains the same, and leading exporters claim that actual shipments will reach 400,000 tonnes.

http://www.freshplaza.com/article/132677/Pakistan-eyeing-citrus-fruit-export

Riaz Haq said...

Addressing the “Fruit and Vegetable Promotion Conference” in Karachi on Friday, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan said that the dream of boosting exports of fruits and vegetables has been materialised thanks to the introduction of new technologies by the agriculture scientists.

“I am proud of the agriculture scientists, whose untiring efforts in research helped boost the exports of fruits, especially mango and vegetables from the country,” the minister said, adding that country’s mango was facing severe problems of fruit-fly disease, resulting in rejection of several consignments and consequently defaming the country besides inflicting huge financial losses to the national exchequer.

However, scientists of the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) PARC in collaboration with All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association managed to control the disease by introducing hot water treatment technology which resulted in export enhancement. He said that due to these efforts, the country has now become able to export mango and several other fruits and vegetables, opening up new avenues for country exports in the markets of USA, European Union, Japan and other countries.

The conference was organised by the DPP PARC in collaboration with All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association with an aim to promote agriculture production and exports.

Speaking on the occasion, Ministry of National Food Security and Research Secretary Seerat Asghar said that the ministry was taking all best possible measures to promote research and development in the agriculture sector.

http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2015/04/24/business/new-technology-helped-boost-fruits-and-vegetables-exports/

Riaz Haq said...

Pakistan: Trade body predicts 120,000 tonnes of mango export

Trade Development Authority of Pakistan's (TDAP) Chief Executive Officer S M Munir told the Senate Standing Committee on Commerce on Monday 27 June, that during the current season, over 120,000 tonnes of mangoes would be exported as compared to the 84,000 tonnes exported last year.

S M Munir told the committee that due to the untiring efforts of the authority, mango export was opened for Australia, Libya, Mauritius and South Korea after being banned for 13 years.

He said the demand for Pakistani mango in these countries, especially in Japan, had increased drastically where the mango export increased from five metric tonnes in 2014 to 81MT in 2015.

The meeting, which was held under the Chairmanship of Senator Syed Shibli Faraz, was informed that export of perishable commodities like vegetables and fresh fruits would further increase after the completion of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Munir said Pakistani exhibitions held abroad were also gaining more and more attention.

Senator Karim Khawaja proposed that new markets in Africa and Latin America should be explored where huge potential was available. Khurram Dastgir Khan said that the government was planning to ask a Dutch company to train Pakistani companies enhance their exports.


http://www.freshplaza.com/article/159927/Pakistan-Trade-body-predicts-120,000-tonnes-of-mango-export

Riaz Haq said...

Queen Elizabeth travels with & loves ‘Bilawal House’ mangoes from #Pakistan

http://tribune.com.pk/story/1134803/queen-travels-style-bilawal-house-mangoes/


Pakistani mangoes are famous worldwide and it seems that even the Queen is a fan.

The 90-year-old arrived at the Edinburgh Waverley railway station ahead of Holyrood Week on Friday with loads of luggage, including boxes of mangoes sent to her by Bilawal House.


Riaz Haq said...

Dailytimes | #Pakistan exports 201,000kg #mushrooms worth $12.930m in 2016 - #Vegetable #exports http://go.shr.lc/2hTlH6L via @Shareaholic
Pakistan exported around 201,000 kilograms (kg) of mushroom with a total export price of $12.930 million in 2016. Not only was the increase in the value of mushroom exports phenomenal but mushroom exports also contributed over 25 percent to the overall vegetables exports of over $101 million the same year.

In Pakistan, mushrooms are grown in farm houses, including but not limited to state owned national logistic cell. Farm production contributes around 1 percent to overall mushroom exports, while the rest of it comes from natural production in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The global mushroom production according to Food and Agriculture Organization's statistics was estimated at 4.99 million tons in 2016 with major producers being China with 60 percent production, followed by United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, Poland, Ireland, Indonesia and India. Talking to the Daily Times, Akhtar Usmani, Chairman Mann-O-Salva Pakistan Private Limited who are the pioneers for the cultivation of mushroom commercially in Pakistan, are not only meeting the demand of the local market, but also earn foreign exchange by selling fresh and dehydrated mushroom to Europe and America. The export market rate while in the Canadian stores was $14 for a kilogram against our cost of $4.

There is a huge export market around the world, some private sector companies export thousands of kilograms, grown in Swat at a lurative price of over $1,000 for a kg.

With absolutely 100 percent export for the same we got our product quality approval from a German firm, and got export permission from the US. It occurred to us on holidays while having pizza for lunch with an extra topping of mushroom. We established this company in 1985 on 16 acres of land allotted by the Government of Sindh in Korangi Industrial Area. National Development Finance Corporation not only agreed for a loan but it was the first time the bank participated as equity partners in an agribusiness.

Mateen Siddiqui, Chairman of Fruits, Vegetables Processors and Exporters Association said mushroom export helped boost overall vegetables exports.

Mushrooms are playing a significant role in the national economics by earning substantial foreign exchange from exports.

In Punjab and Sindh it is found after the monsoon rains, while in the valleys of Balochistan it is found to grow in large numbers in March and April. Local people refer to it as "khamiri". They not only do they eat it, but sell it in the small villages and vegetable markets. A part of the crop is dried and sent to large towns. Edible mushroom once called 'Food of God' is still treated as a garnish or delicacy the world over due to its delicious taste and nourishment value. It is rich in proteins and has most of the essential amino acids with about 90 percent digestive co-efficient. In addition to being low in calories and an ideal food for diabetics, heart and cancer patients. The umbrella-shaped vegetation grows under the trunk of a tree, among sparse vegetation, and sprinkled in grasslands after the rains. However, the umbrella-shaped fungus with a little stalk tickles the taste-buds of millions around the world.

Riaz Haq said...

Pakistan urged to export apples to Russia

http://www.freshplaza.com/article/173789/Pakistan-urged-to-export-apples-to-Russia


Pakistan has an opportunity to capture the Russian market, as importers have expressed an interest in importing Pakistani apples. According to a private news channel report, Pakistan, with a production of 1.495 million tonnes of apple, stands at number 10 in global ranking.

The overall trade of apple has surpassed 6.5 million tonnes. Analysts believe that Pakistan can earn foreign exchange by capturing the soaring global apple market. They urge the government to facilitate farmers with the provision of the latest technology in this field and help them discover new markets. A spokesperson for the Apple Growers and Exporters Association said that demand for Pakistani apples was surging in the international market.

He said that with the adoption of modern techniques in farming, apple production could be increased by two tonnes per acre and the country could earn Rs30 billion additional income from apple exports. He said that France, Belgium, Chile, the Netherlands and the US were countries that topped the list in apple production.

source: nation.com.pk

Riaz Haq said...

#Pakistan expects to export 100,000 metric tonnes #mangoes this year

https://www.geo.tv/latest/142609-pakistan-expected-to-export-100000-metric-tonnes-mangoes

Pakistan’s mango export commenced from Saturday onwards, according to All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association (PFVA).

Moreover, PFVA has set an export target of 100,000 metric tonnes for this year.

Last year, the mango export target was set at 100,000 tonnes and towards the end of the season the export stood at 128,000 metric tonnes, which fetched USD 68 million, stated Patron-in-Chief of PFVA Waheed Ahmed.

Ahmed explained that the export target has been set at 100,000 metric tonnes as mango producers have already faced huge losses due to unexpected climatic changes.

Due to a prolonged winter season , hail storm and strong winds in Punjab, the collective production of mango is anticipated to decline to about 600,000 metric tonnes from an estimated production of 18,00,000 metric tonnes.

Punjab produces about 67 percent of the mangoes in Pakistan. However, severe climatic conditions have let to 50 percent mangoes being affected. The extent of damage can only be ascertained once mangoes become available in the market.

Pakistan exports mangoes to 50 countries across the world, shared Ahmed, adding that in the current season attention is being paid to China, US and South Korea.

Last year, export value of mangoes was between USD 680 to USD 700 per metric tonne. However, in the current season this value would be USD 650 per metric tonne, he added.

Seeking Punjab govt’s assistance
Ahmed also requested the Punjab government to reserve funds in upcmoning budger to encounter the menace of climate changes during crop production.

He said that the climatic changes are big challenge for the entire agriculture sector, including horticulture sector, and technology can be utilised to find appropriate solutions.

With use of modern technology the damage caused by hail storms can be avoided and losses can be minimised, said Ahmed.

Waheed also pressed the federal government to fulfill its commitment to cost reduction by extending seven percent financial assistance on export of fruits and vegetables in the forthcoming budget.

He further emphasised that the government must take serious notice of discriminatory policy of freight cost by the foreign carries to Pakistan. The carriers must also be bound to charge appropriate freight rate.

Foreign carriers are charging freight cost of USD 1.26 per kilogramme from Bombay to London, where as USD 1.70 per kg is being charged for the sector Karachi to London. The high costs make it difficult for Pakistan’s mangoes to compete in the international market.

Riaz Haq said...

#Rataul #mango: Another #India-#Pakistan flashpoint. Village near #Meerut in #UP claims mango http://toi.in/3NmfLb via @TOICitiesNews

Meerut: Among the scores of unresolved issues between neighbours - India and Pakistan - lies the conflict over a mango variety. To this day, origin of the delicious Rataul mango is disputed between the two countries.
The flashpoint of this historical tussle was witnessed in 1981 when the then Pakistan president General Zia-ul-Haq presented Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and President Neelam Sanjeev Reddy a basket full of 'special mangoes from his country'.
The then Indian PM liked the sweet mangoes so much that she wrote an open letter to General Zia-ul-Haq appreciating the mangoes, which she said were "only available in Pakistan". It was then that a group of mango growers from Rataul village in Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat district met Gandhi and explained how the variety was "born" in India and not in Pakistan.
"My father's elder brother Abrarul Haq Siddiqui migrated to Pakistan after partition with saplings of Rataul mango and cultivated in Multan and named it 'Anwar Rataul' in the memory of his late father, Anwarul Haq.
"Now, Multan is famous in the world for this mango. Anwar Rataul is considered the king of mangoes," said Rahat Abrar, director, public relations office, Aligarh Muslim University, who is originally a resident of Rataul village and proud of its mangoes.

Over the years, Anwar Rataul mangoes have become so famous in Pakistan that the country has even issued a postal stamp on the mango variety.
Mairajuddin, 60, who was part of the delegation of mango growers which met Indira, told TOI, "Soon after the news of Pakistan variety being presented to then President Neelam Sanjeev Reddy was carried out in the media, a meeting was called in our village and it was decided that a box with Rataul mangoes should be presented to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi with the request that the same should be sent to the Pakistan president.

"During mango festivals across the globe, there is always a tussle between the two countries over the ownership of this variety. We have over 2,000 bighas of land under cultivation of this variety in Baghpat and adjoining areas," he said.
Alimuddin Siddiqui, one of the cultivators, told TOI , "Anwar Rataul has its roots in this village here and it is still grown in a sizeable area."

Riaz Haq said...

Equipped With New Test Capabilities, Laboratory in #Pakistan Helps Improve #FoodSafety, Increase #Meat #Exports https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/equipped-with-new-capabilities-laboratory-in-pakistan-helps-improve-food-safety-increase-exports#.WXp1USN5gMA.twitter …
The Pakistani Veterinary Residue Laboratory in Faisalabad, a food laboratory supported by the IAEA and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), has acquired the capability to undertake state-of-the-art tests to certify the safety of food. It has recently earned International Organization for Standardization (ISO) accreditation, and officials expect this to contribute to increased meat exports thanks to food safety certificates the lab will be able to issue for the first time.

“Pakistan produces some of the world’s finest tasting foods, especially meat and other animal products,” said Ahmad Waqar, who is in charge of this cooperation at the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the IAEA. “In the past, Pakistan has had exports rejected because they did not comply with the food safety standards of importing countries. This resulted in safety concerns, significant economic losses and food waste.”

The livestock sector contributes 12 percent of Pakistan’s GDP. In 2010, the European Union rejected 134 food export consignments due to the presence of contaminants. This raised concerns in Pakistan about the need to improve its food safety control system.

Veterinary drug misuse comes with consequences

As with many farmers around the world, it is common practice to administer medicines to animals to keep them healthy, rather than to treat disease when it occurs. “From a food safety point of view, problems especially arise when farmers do not have correct advice on what drug to buy and use, or do not follow instructions on how, when and how much to administer or how long to wait until the drugs have cleared out of the animal’s body,” said James Jacob Sasanya, food safety specialist at the Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture. If drugs remain in the animals, they, or their residues, may end up in food products and could pose a health hazard to consumers.

For meat and other food products to be accepted as safe for consumption, they must be tested, among others, for veterinary drug residues to ensure these residues do not exceed safety or reference limits. “Pakistan did not have the capacity to conduct these tests until the new laboratory became operational,” Waqar said.

The laboratory was established by Pakistan’s Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission. The IAEA’s technical cooperation programme helped by providing the laboratory with state-of-the-art equipment, and supported training opportunities at various European reference laboratories and expert missions to assist with implementing measurement protocols and methods as well as regular technical advice. Through this support, the laboratory has increased its testing capability and received the accreditation.

The certificate is valid for three years for the analysis of seven types of antibiotics and hormone analyses in food products. As a result, Pakistan now has the capacity to process over a thousand food samples each year.

Sheep products used to make sausages are one of the key export products and are monitored by 13 quarantine centers in Pakistan. These centers rely on credible laboratory testing, which for the first time is now available at the Veterinary Residue Laboratory and internationally recognized. “In the absence of its own national analytical capabilities, tests had to be outsourced to other countries, which is both expensive and time-consuming,” Sasanya said. “With this new achievement, Pakistan can now rely on its own analytical capabilities.”

Several countries from around the world are benefitting from this nuclear-derived technique and the assistance of the IAEA and the FAO for its implementation, including Botswana and Morocco.

Riaz Haq said...

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE > BUSINESS
Balochistan can earn Pakistan up to $1 billion a year

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1543268/2-balochistan-can-earn-pakistan-1-billion-year/

Balochistan alone has the potential to earn Pakistan up to $1 billion a year from fruit and vegetable exports, according to initial findings of All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers & Merchants Association (PFVA).

But this will happen if international good practices are adopted, added the representative organisation of fresh food exporters that has recently completed a consultative process with stakeholders in Balochistan to develop a road map for the sector.

“The PFVA’s vision would provide long-lasting solutions of problems like food security,” a press release quoted former PFVA chairman Waheed Ahmed as saying.

A PFVA delegation recently met Balochistan Governor Mohammad Khan Achakzai, growers and trade organisations and briefed them about the vision of the association to develop a national policy of horticulture.

The PFVA is gathering support throughout the country for its upcoming “National conference on Horticulture” which will be organised in February 2018.

The association briefed the governor and held consultative meetings at the Quetta Chamber of Commerce to increase the participation of farmers and other stakeholders in highlighting issues of the sector.

The current share of export volume of fruits and vegetables from the province is $45 million, which can be enhanced to $1 billion by establishing Research and Development facilities, Ahmed said.

Pakistan suffers due to low volume of exports overall, aggravating economic issues like a widening trade and current account deficit. Experts have time and again highlighted the need to increase exports and tap sectors other than textile to address economic issues.


The PFVA says that the establishment of grading, processing and packing plants as common facilities in various parts of Balochistan is imminent to achieve this objective. The governor assured to render full support and assistance is setting up common facilities centres in Balochistan, the release added.

Pakistan exported $641 million worth of horticulture products in fiscal year 2016. However, PFVA officials say the country can touch a volume of up to $7 billion within a decade if the federal and provincial governments frame friendlier policies.

Riaz Haq said...

Balochistan: The Fruit Basket of Pakistan
By: Sana Samad

http://thebalochistanpoint.com/balochistan-the-fruit-basket-of-pakistan/

Though Balochistan is full of natural resources and profiting the country, it is also called “The Fruit Basket of Pakistan”. Balochistan is sharing 90 percent national production of grapes, cherry and almonds, almost 60 percent of peach, pomegranate, apricot and around 34 percent apple and 70 percent of dates. In Balochistan, 149,726 hectares areas are covered by the fruit crops and nearly 889490 tons of production is successfully being achieved every year. Over thousands tons of apples are exported from Balochistan annually and around 80 percent of the quality apples are produced in the province.

Fruit production is in high land of Balochistan which contains south-western regions are depended on ground water. The province is also well-known for its grape production of different varieties. Mostly the grapes are grown in Quetta, Pishin, Kalat, Zhob, Loralia and other districts. These districts are not only profiting the province but almost the entire country. Unfortunately, in few years, these districts have been facing problems of power shortage. The acute of water, due to frequent power break down the fruits are completely being destroyed.

The experts have estimated that Balochistan tremendous yield potential an efficiently be tapped by establishing crop specific zone and fruit processing units in Balochistan. The experts believe that the province should be divided into zones for quality fruit production. In last few years, Balochistan has tremendously developed in fruits farms. So a research is required to efficiently and fully tap fruit export potential of the country’s basket. The private forms related to agri-business from other provinces have shown great interest to invest and set up their business in Balochistan but they are not being encouraged nor supported by the provincial government or local communities.

Primarily, the apples and dates are the most well-known fruits, and they are exported to other places. Pakistan enjoys robust position in the world apple market because of Balochistan where 80 percent of the apples are produced. It is unfortunate that, despite getting profits from apple, no treatment plant for their preservation was established by the government in past. This loss is not only harming the country, but in reality, it is causing loss of the small farmers who are totally depended on these things. If the provincial government will work for these fruits then the better management can increase the earning income of the local farmers in Balochistan.

The provincial government should provide cold-storage facilities at the district level. Mainly these facilities are only present in Lahore, Karachi, Multan and other big cities. The other facilities including farm of market road, regular and sustainable supply of electricity for the purpose to enhance production and export of quality fruits.

The best source is micro-irrigation system to cope with water shortage in the fruit growing areas of the province. In last few years, the fruit crops in the areas of northern Balochistan have been suffering from scarcity of water shortage as tube well were not operating fully and other problems were also occurring.

Riaz Haq said...

Pakistan’s grapes are cultivated on a 15,302 hectare area, while annual productivity is 64,317 tonnes. Balochistan grows most of the grapes. However, with the efforts of the Agriculture Institute Chakwal, warmer areas such as Multan, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan have started to the grow the fruit on a large scale.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1717479/1-grape-cultivation-gains-momentum-punjab/

Grapes grown in Rahim Yar Khan are also available in the market. Thanks to the taste, local gardeners are making decent returns on the crop.

While speaking to Express News, Minthar’s gardener Imran Mughal, agricultural expert Munir Hussain and Muhammad Hanif, said a farmer can earn millions of rupees from one acre of land due to good crop turnover of the local grapes.


They said Royal, Thomson Seedless, Cardinal, Kings Ruby, White Seedless, Early White and Perlit are the important and most liked grapes.

They advised farmers and growers to get a plant from a garden that has good fruit instead of buying a grape plant from the nursery. They said the the grape plant can be grown twice; in January and February and likewise in March and April.

They said there is less need of irrigation, while a medium-sized fertile land is suitable for setting up grape gardens.

The agriculture experts said the crop should be protected from Bhar, mealeybug and Blue Bird attacks as they damage the crop. They added grape cultivation could yield maximum profits.

Earlier, a farmer from Chakwal, Mohammad Niaz, not only grew grapes across seven acres of land, but also managed exceptionally good returns on his investment.

A few years ago, the prospect of cultivating grapes in this northern part of Punjab was unimaginable, but the trend changed when the World Bank and the provincial government joined hands to improve farming standards and usher in new farming technologies.

Subsided commodities: Quality fruit hard to find

Niaz is among those lucky farmers who were picked for the implementation of the first phase of the Punjab Irrigated Agriculture Improvement Programme. The initiative was funded by World Bank with a loan of $250 million.

The Punjab government offered 60% subsidy to farmers for introducing new techniques. In order to qualify, the farmer had to contribute 40% to the cost, which alone made most farmers ineligible due to very high equipment charges upfront.

However, the programme was meant to offer an opportunity to small farmers to adopt modern technologies to cope with the growing water crisis, besides increasing agriculture yield.

Grape cultivation through drip irrigation benefits the farmer, as well as the country, through 50% water saving, 45% reduction in fertiliser cost and almost 100% increase in per acre yield.

Riaz Haq said...

#Pakistan #Mango #exports to rise with new #technology. #USAID supporting mango farmers in upgrading #fruit processing technologies and addressing export protocols. 13 state-of-the-art mango graders provided. https://tribune.com.pk/story/1775622/2-mango-exports-rise-new-technology/

US Agency for International Development (USAID) Pakistan Mission Director Jerry Bisson has said that by facilitating infrastructure upgrades, introducing new technologies and promoting market opportunities, mango exports will increase to high-end markets, which will bring more revenues to Pakistani farmers and exporters.

Multan gears up for four-day mango festival

“We want to ensure that Pakistani mangoes are competitive on the international market,” he emphasised while speaking at the Mango Gala held to mark long-term partnership with Pakistan’s government and private sector. USAID has been working with Pakistan since 2009 to expand the market of its mangoes globally.
Attention needed: Mango growers feel the heat as Pakistan tackles climate change

According to USAID, it has supported mango farmers in upgrading fruit processing technologies and addressing export protocols more efficiently since 2009.
Under the project’s grant programme, 13 state-of-the-art mango graders have been provided.

Riaz Haq said...

#Pakistan #seafood exports of 198,420 tons, up 27.94% in US$, earning $451.026 million in FY18 https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/362151-pakistan-fish-exports-up-27-94pc-netting-451-026-million-in-fy18

The country’s export value increased 14.57 percent from $393.662 million off 155,091 tons in 2016-17. However, as per officials, the country’s fisheries exports declined 7.35 percent in value to $11.837 million tons in July 2018 from $12.776 million in the same month last fiscal. The quantity was down 2.87 percent to 5,452 tons from 5,613 tons.

Industry stakeholders complain that Pakistani seafood fetches lower value in the international market as the quantity of exportable fish has depleted due to various reasons, including overfishing.

Faisal Iftikhar, former president, Pakistan Fisheries Exporters Association, said, “Pakistan’s fish and fish preparations exports fetch $2.27 to $2.5 per kilogram, which is lowest in the region’s average price of around $7/kg.”

He blames it on the lower quality of fish meal. “Our prices show that we export more fish meal and our prices are lower than quality fish meal price, which fetches $3/kg.”

He said quality seafood stocks were depleting in Pakistani waters because of overfishing and use of destructive nets. Pakistan mostly exports to China at lower rates, although the European Union has lifted ban from two factories amid political pressure, ‘without inspecting the factories on the ground”, he informed.

“Revival of exports to EU had no significant impact over Pakistan’s total seafood exports,” the official said, adding that only one factory exported to EU, and that too on lower prices at par with China.

China is one of the largest buyers of Pakistan’s fish and fish preparations. Other buyers include Hong Kong, Indonesia, Egypt, Middle East, UK, Thailand, South Korea, Bangladesh etc.

Capt Akhlaque, whose factory is the only one exporting seafood to EU, said, “We are not in a bargaining position. India is controlling the prices, with 200 factories exporting to the European Union countries.”

According to Marine Fisheries Department, there are around 150 fish and seafood exporting firms in Pakistan, of which 35 operate in the premises of Karachi Fish Harbour.

Akhlaque said commercial fish stocks had not depleted completely. “When ban on fishing is fully implemented during the breeding season in June and July, better stocks develop,” he said, adding that since the ban was implemented there were chances of better fishing in the current fiscal year.

Muhammad Ali Shah, chairmen Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, a representative body of fishermen, said processing and transportation of fish to the harbour was poor, which deteriorated the fish quality resulting in lower prices in the international market.

“Fish caught at Keti Bunder is transported to Karachi Fish Harbour in a poor manner, which deteriorates its quality,” he added.

Shah said that deep-sea fishing and overfishing had affected the commercial fish stocks, which were rapidly reducing in Pakistani waters. “Marine pollution and use of harmful nets are increasing the woes,” he added.

The Fisheries Resources Appraisal in Pakistan Project, a Unilateral Trust Fund project of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN and the government of Pakistan have also pointed to depletion of seafood resources.

“The overall status for all the major fish stocks of Pakistan is that they are all below target biomass levels and nine of the species groups are below the depleted threshold,” said the project report. “Only two species groups out of 14 show any indication that fishing mortality is at or below the limit. All of Pakistan's marine fisheries are over-exploited.”

The report said the prospects for an economically vibrant and growing fishery were poor, and reduced exports, value, and food fish production were all to be expected even as fish meal production increases.

Riaz Haq said...

#Pakistan: #Mango Research Institute introduces high density mango plantation.The mango plants are placed at small intervals. This planting technique also helps to save on water for irrigation. It eases #orchard management. #horticulture http://www.freshplaza.com/article/9035989/pakistan-mango-research-institute-introduces-high-density-mango-plantation/#.W9Hr1ztjXjc.twitter

The Pakistan Mango Research Institute (MRI) has been planting mango trees at its research area, in line with the Ultra High Density Plantation process.

The Ultra High Density Plantation is a common technique, already used internationally. However, Pakistan was somewhat lagging behind in this area, said Agriculture Information Assistant Director Naveed Asmat Kohloon.

Still, the technique is of vital importance as it offers more production with low inputs. The mango plants are placed at small intervals. This planting technique also helps to save on water for irrigation. It is also helpful as it eases orchard management.

Riaz Haq said...

Pakistan seafood exports to China rise: Chinese fishing company


https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/478386-pakistani-seafood-exports-to-china-rise-chinese-fishing-company

The exports of Pakistani seafood from Gwadar to Chinese cities through Urumqi, China’s Xinjiang autonomous region has increased manifold owing to robust demand, Chen Baoliang, chairman of the board of Xinjiang Yu-Fei International Fishing Company said on Thursday.

Yu-Fei Marine Technology of China (Gwadar) Company is one of the largest fishing companies in the Gwadar port of Pakistan, according to China.org.cn.


"Since the company was established in 2017, we have been exporting an increasing quantity of seafood back to China," said Chen.

In the last two years, Yu-Fei imported 1,000 tonnes of seafood and sold them to cities in the Chinese mainland.

Now it takes 34 hours for lobsters and groupers from Pakistan to arrive in Xinjiang through air transport, instead of 25 days.

"When I visited Gwadar in 2016, I found that it had high-quality seafood but lacked proper facilities to process them," Chen said.

He invested 500 million yuan (about 73 million U.S.dollars) to build fishing, processing, refrigerated warehouses and established one of the largest seafood processing centers in Gwadar.

Yu-Fei is among a growing list of companies that bank on robust domestic demand in China to import seafood from Gwadar and sell to customers in Urumqi and Karamay, both in Xinjiang, and other cities including Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen.

"As commercial relations expand, we will be able to create hundreds of more jobs for local Pakistanis and raise the income for local fishers," Chen said.

Riaz Haq said...

#Pakistan #Mangoes Try to Break Into #UnitedStates Markets. The mango is indigenous to #India and Pakistan producing 40% of world's supply, but the U.S. gets most of its supply from Central and South America. It's hard to find #SouthAsian fruit in #America https://www.voanews.com/episode/pakistan-mangoes-try-break-us-markets-3972621

Riaz Haq said...

Pakistan to export cherries to China next year

https://www.dawn.com/news/1589083

Pakistan’s cherries cannot be exported to China at present. Pakistani cherries are really good, including sweetness and quality, Wei said in an interview with the CEN at the third China International Import Expo (CIIE) held in Shanghai.

Previously, export of Pakistani cherries had been hindered due to lack of cold chain management, market information system, packaging and processing facilities. In this regard, Li Wei said China can provide technical assistance to manage orchards, while Pakistan can provide workers, so that both sides can achieve win-win cooperation. He said that China will help Pakistan develop cold chain technology.

Li Wei said that there was a great business opportunity for the export of agricultural products from Pakistan to China.

Earlier, in 2018, 24 tonnes of mangoes were exported from Pakistan to China and sold in Xinfadi, a large wholesale market of fruits, vegetables, and meat for Beijing.

Wei said that Pakistani mangoes are comparable to those from Australia and the Philippines. Although the price is more expensive than domestic mango, Pakistani mango is better in terms of variety, appearance, and quality. The sugar content of ripe mango can reach 22.68 per cent, he added.

There is seasonal difference in the marketing of Pakistani mangoes in China. The mango season in Pakistan starts from Aug 20 to Nov 20, while there are almost no mangoes in southern China in November. Pakistani mangoes can extend the mango season by two months, Li Wei explained.

“Chinese side provides technology and sends technical staff in fields of inorganic fertiliser, bagging, picking, disinfection, transportation, while Pakistani side provides labor. Finally, through cross-border e-commerce air transportation, Chinese customers can eat fresh mango within a week after placing an order,” he added.

If the pandemic improves next year, China will import large quantities of Pakistani mangoes. On the development of high value-added mango products, he said that in the next step, they may cooperate with domestic snack manufacturers to produce dried mango products.

Riaz Haq said...

Mango is the second largest fruit crop in Pakistan following citrus. Pakistan is the fourth largest producer of mangoes in world (The Daily Records, 2017). In 2016 it supplied about 3.5% of the world's total mango production ( (FAO, 2018). Punjab and Sindh together produce about 98% of Pakistan's total mango.

https://www.monash.edu/business/cdes/assets/documents/horticulture-and-market-reforms-in-pakistan/Draft-Report-02.pdf

Like the other horticulture products in Pakistan, mango suffers from low productivity,
low quality, high wastage and low exports. Fruit quality is generally good but 30 to 40 percent
of fruit gets wasted during post-harvest handling. There is a lack of modern storage facility;
and postharvest treatment and transport mechanism is almost non-existent. Periodic gluts occur
on domestic markets as the markets lack the capacity to store fruit. The export market faces
similar challenges. In general, a value oriented supply chain mechanism is absent in the mango
market in Pakistan and there are concerns that current returns for growers are unsustainable
(Collins, Dunne, Campbell, Jhonson, & Malik, 2006). There are several other impediments in
the supply chain management. Most market power is concentrated to commission agents
(Mehdi, 2012). Besides, the lack of any direct relationship between growers and
processors/exporters make the supply chain protracted.

Riaz Haq said...

Apples are generally known as the “sweet gold” of Pakistan and are among the most popular fruits. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, during 2012/13 apples were produced over an area of 110,000 hectares with a total production of 556,000 metric tons, placing Pakistan among the top 25 producers globally.



http://agriexchange.apeda.gov.in/MarketReport/Reports/Apple%20Product%20Brief_Islamabad_Pakistan_1-22-2015.pdf



--------------FRUIT 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 Citrus 2147340 2001685 2167719 2395550 2344086 Mango 1700010 1680388 1658562 1716882 1336473 Banana 96545 115552 118756 118044 134634 Apple 598804 556307 606016 616748 620481 Grapes 64317 64353 66244 66036 65854 Pomegranate 48589 46081 45318 42641 40125 Guava 495231 499845 496008 488017 522573 Dates 557279 524612 526749 537204 467756 Apricot 189420 178489 177630 170504 172933 Peach 54378 55621 60880 66792 70750 Pear 19071 18789 18726 17012 16569 Plum 56223 55701 55241 54304 54634 Almond 21440 22330 21649 21881 21451 Fig 525 494 500 459 423 Jaman 7536 7398 6407 6364 5453 Litchy 1736 1811 1666 1644 1755 Phalsa 3991 3902 3851 4063 3848 Walnut 10640 9926 10094 14831 13751 Ber 28377 25634 25309 24635 24320 Loquat 8731 9304 9002 8823 9900 Mulberry 2615 2325 2530 2100 2134 Strawbery 292 312 591 609 767 Chikoo 6789 6890 6647 6677 6782 Coconut 10027 10010 10007 10030 10040 Cherry 1999 1981 2027 2083 2140 Pistachio 655 659 659 659 706 Papaya 6861 6932 6898 6743 6185 Percimen 21828 24355 24580 26760 26879 Melons 597296 583820 567506 544966 537198 Others(K+R) 56494 48099 62480 49899 46686 Total 6815037 6524522 6637831 7018002 6567286

http://www.amis.pk/files/F&V%20Statistics%202015-16.pdf

Riaz Haq said...

Vegetables account for 5.5 million tons in 2018 where 40% of production is only attributed to onions with 2.1 million tons of production followed by tomatoes, carrots, and turnip considered as major crops. Vegetable production increased to 5,45 compare to last year's production of 5.0 million tons in 2017.



Fruits and Vegetables Market in Pakistan is expected to register a CAGR of 5.9% during the forecast period of (2020-2025). Pakistan has a wide range of agro-climatic conditions which is allowing the country to produce a wide variety of tropical and sub-tropical fruits and vegetables. According to FAO, Fruits accounts for 9 million tons in 2018. Mangoes with the highest production of 2.3 million metric tons followed by oranges with the production of 1.5 million metric tons. Similarly, vegetable production accounts for 5.4 million tons where 40% of production is only attributed to onions with 2.1 million tons of production followed by tomatoes, carrots, and turnip. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, in 2018 Pakistan exported 768,200 metric tons of fruit worth of USD 415 million.



https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/pakistan-fruits-and-vegetables-market

Riaz Haq said...

'Pakistan government to establish cold storages on airports and shipping ports across nation'

https://www.freshplaza.com/article/9277227/pakistan-government-to-establish-cold-storages-on-airports-and-shipping-ports-across-nation/

An agreement has been made by the government and the Representatives of Fruit and Vegetable Exporters to establish cold storage areas on airports and shipping ports across Pakistan.

This weekend, the Ministry of Commerce hosted a video-link session to address the issues surrounding mango exports. In the consultative session, an agreement was made by the government and the Representatives of Fruit and Vegetable Exporters to establish cold storage areas on airports and shipping ports across Pakistan.

Prime Minister for Commerce and Investment, Abdul Razak Dawood: “Held a fruitful consultative session with the growers, farmers, and exporters of Mangoes at the MOC. We discussed problems facing the exports of mango and discussed the way forward. We agreed to explore establishing cold storage areas on airports and shipping ports. We also agreed to establish a Mango Development Council under the forthcoming STPF.”

According to an article on globalvillagespace.com, this significant decision would have a positive effect on Pakistan’s exports. Most fruits and vegetables do not last long in warmer weather, hence why they need to be placed in cold storage to prevent their degeneration, especially in airports and shipping ports where they need to be sent for exports. Pakistan’s harsh weather conditions do not favor fruits and vegetables’ longevity, which ultimately affects our exports. Establishing cold storage would prevent this issue and benefit our agriculture industry as well as exports.

Riaz Haq said...

Pakistan’s cash crops — vegetable production

https://dailytimes.com.pk/603906/pakistans-cash-crops-vegetable-production/

Vegetables constitute an integral component of our cropping pattern but the increasing pressure on food and cash crops has limited the area under vegetables to about 3.1% of the total cropped area. Because they have a shorter maturity period vegetables fit well in most farming systems. Vegetables provide proteins, minerals and vitamins required for human nutrition. In Pakistan though, the daily per capita intake is low, being about 100 grams compared to the recommended consumption of about 285 grams. Vegetables are very important due to their higher yield potential, higher return and high nutritional value while being suitable for small land holding farmers. Most Pakistanis prefer cooked vegetables over raw vegetables, use plenty of fat during cooking and like to stir-fry their vegetables but high heat kills many of the beneficial nutrients and vitamins, and the excessive fat intake encourages obesity and high cholesterol.

However, according to the Asian Development Bank until today Pakistan remains a low level producer of vegetables basically for the domestic market only. In some instances, Pakistan has to import vegetables. One such example is pulses. Pulses are the most important source of vegetable protein in Pakistan. The demand for pulses is increasing because of the population growth and the fact that dal is cheap staple food for the poor. There is a need to develop varieties with higher yield potential that respond to improved management practices so as to meet the increasing demand of pulses and for import substitution. Pakistan Agricultural Research Council has started a program in order to develop varieties of chickpea, lentil, mung bean and black gram through breeding, molecular techniques and selection. The new varieties should be responsive to high inputs like irrigation, fertilizers and inoculation and be resistant to disease, drought and cold. Last year a four-person U.S. pulse industry team visited Karachi during April 29-May 1 to attend the first U.S. pulses seminar, hold industry meetings, visit a processing facility, see a traditional grain market and tour a hypermarket. But instead of helping Pakistani agro-industry the visit resulted in Pakistani buyers contracting for import of American pulses for the coming year. Overall, Pakistan is spending Rs. 102 billion annually on import of pulses. Among the reasons for that is that pulses were grown in marginalized land which has low productivity due to lack of water.


As can be seen there are multiple factors constraining not only the production of pulses but of all vegetables. One important factor apart from seeds quality, diseases and others is the human factor. The majority of the population in Pakistan lives in rural areas where poverty is deep and widespread. People are not only poor but mostly uneducated. Whatever knowledge farmers have is from their fathers and grandfathers. Not or insufficiently able to read and write is another major constraint. New seeds and how to handle them, use of new fertilizers are incomprehensible to them. Moreover, many of them are landless or small farmers with holdings too small to be profitable. And the number of such people is increasing with the passage of time. Has there ever been an attempt to bring small landowners in a cooperative together? That would solve the problem of too small holdings, access to credits, training-on the job and others.

Riaz Haq said...

Dysfunctional Horticulture Value Chains and
the Need for Modern Marketing Infrastructure:
The Case of Pakistan

https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/534716/dysfunctional-horticulture-value-chains-pakistan.pdf

Negative Impacts of the Current Value Chain The negative impacts of the current value chain can be assessed in terms of the low share of farmers in consumer prices . Usually producers get 15% to 20% of the retail price. Production of perishables like potato, onion and tomato suffers from a major setback every 3–4 years. Usually two or three good harvests are followed by a bad harvest. Besides, natural factors like unfavorable weather also negatively affect production. Producers do not get price dividends when production is low, shooting the retail price. Benefits of high retail prices are disproportionately expropriated by the middlemen. When there is a market glut where perishables and their prices fall, producers suffer as their share in retail prices also falls significantly. Sometimes producers throw away their perishable produce to protest their low prices. It emerged from discussions with the traders in Badami Bagh Ravi Link wholesale market that producers’ share in retail prices is inversely related with the perishability of the crop. Both seasonal and spatial price fluctuations of fruits and vegetables are high in Pakistan. For instance, in 2017, the price of 100 kg of tomato in Lahore fluctuated between 1,450 Pakistan rupees (PRs) to PRs13,150, or more than 800%. In the same year, price fluctuation for fresh potato was between PRs1,550 to PRs4,300 for 100 kg, or 177%. The annual cost of price fluctuations of fruits and vegetables is estimated to be about $825 million. Postharvest losses in fruits and vegetables due to mishandling of the perishable product, poor transportation, and inadequate storage facilities and market infrastructure account for about 30%–40% of total production. The annual value of postharvest losses of potato, tomato, peas, cauliflowers, carrots, turnip, radish, brinjal, squash, okra, onion, grapes, and mango in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Sindh, valued at the respective 2016 provincial wholesale prices, is about $700 million to $934 million. An alternative estimate suggests that a reduction of around 75% of the current postharvest loss, when valued at export premium prices, would be equivalent to an annual saving of approximately $1.13 billion.



Due to low economies of scale, lack of synergies and collaboration among traders, high loading and unloading time, and hightransportation cost, overall marketing cost is very high. A reduction of marketing cost by $0.025 per kilogram would save about $55 million annually in the Ravi Link wholesale market in Lahore. It is difficult to comply with food safety, sanitary, and phytosanitary standards with the current value chain. The income and corporate tax revenues foregone due to the current value chain and marketing structure are also potentially high. Current Situation of the Main Wholesale Markets in Lahore The situation of four wholesale markets located in Lahore were analyzed, namely, (i) Badami Bagh Ravi Link, (ii) Akbari Mandi, (iii) a fish market at Urdu bazaar, and (iv) a flower market in Sughian Pul Shekhopura Road. The key findings are as follows. Physical Limitations The main problem is inadequate space for activities, forcing the commission agents and wholesalers to operate in open spaces with consequent spoilage. The average size of stalls is about 16 square meters only, which makes sorting, grading, and display of products difficult. Most of the corridors and offices in the premises have little active ventilation as required by international standards.

Riaz Haq said...

Today, Advisor to Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood announced that Japan has approved a mango processing facility for exports from Pakistan. The advisor stated that the Roomi Foods Vapour heat treatment plant has been approved by the Japanese authorities for export of mangoes from Pakistan, adding that this was the only facility in Pakistan equipped to process mangoes as per the Japanese government quarantine requirements.

https://www.freshplaza.com/article/9327502/following-australia-japan-approves-pakistan-s-mango-facility-for-exports/

"I congratulate them for this and commend the facilitation provided by Department of Plant Protection of Pakistan and Trade Counsel Tokyo Japan," Dawood tweeted.

As reported on brecorder.com¸ the approval by Japan comes days after Australia approved two mango processing facilities of Pakistan for exports. Mustafa Agriculture Farm and Iftekhar Ahmed & Co in Sindh were approved by the Australian Department of Water, Agriculture and Environment.


https://www.brecorder.com/news/40097835

Pakistan’s mango exports to Australia have increased from 2 tonnes in 2013 to 79 tonnes in 2019, increasing the country's share from 0.2 percent to 8.7 percent.

Riaz Haq said...

New farming method promises to multiply Pakistan’s mango yield

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1865876/world

After a decade of declining harvest, mango growers in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province are pinning their hopes on a new farming technique that would allow them to increase their fruit yield up to six times, several growers and experts said.
Pakistan is the world’s sixth-largest mango producer, with an annual production volume of about 1.7 million tons. While most of the harvest comes from Punjab, the Sindh province has the second-largest yield and is known for the Sindhri variety of mango, famous for its honey-like sweetness and deep, thin yellow peel.
But farmers are increasingly sounding the alarm on declining crop yield.
Sindh cultivated mangoes on 59,215 hectares of land and produced 381,269 metric tons in 2010. Provincial agricultural data shows this yield reduced to 329,300 metric tons by 2019.
Realizing that a major reason for the decline was outdated farming practices, one grower, Mahmood Nawaz Shah from the Tando Allahyar district, decided to try something new at his Genuine Delight Farms.
In 2019, he initiated a pilot project to cultivate new orchards under the small tree system (STS) on 1.6 hectares of land using a pruning technique that keeps the height of the mango plants at nearly nine feet, making their management easier and helping to accommodate more trees in a smaller area.
“The STS can revolutionize the quantum of our mango production,” Shah, who also represents a provincial farmers’ body, the Sindh Abadgar Board, told Arab News.
“We can increase our mango production some five times in this country,” he added, explaining that while the average mango yield per acre was five metric tons from large trees, an average of 25 to 30 metric tons could be harvested from the same area using the small tree system.
According to estimates by the Sindh Abadgar Board, the STS is currently being used on only 1,618 hectares of Pakistan’s total mango cultivation area of 167,000 hectares. In Sindh, only 10 growers have so far adopted the method.
“We are far behind when it comes to modernizing our farming structures and techniques,” Dr. Noor-un-Nisa Memon, a faculty member at the Sindh Agriculture University in Tando Jam, said.
It was high time, she said, that old mango orchards were replaced with new ones, but farmers in Sindh were reluctant to prune their trees, thinking it would reduce their yield.
Farmers, however, say they are willing to adopt new techniques but cannot do it without government support as most are small-scale growers.
“It is extremely important to adopt the STS to deal with the situation,” Mir Zafarullah Talpur, a grower from Sindh’s largest mango-growing district, Mirpurkhas, told Arab News.
“The government should arrange an extensive awareness program for farmers and provide them subsidies and installment facilities so they can import modern instruments.”
Hidayatullah CHajjro, director-general at Agriculture Extension, said the provincial administration had already arranged several training sessions to raise awareness among mango growers about new farming techniques but agreed that subsidies needed to be given to farmers who wanted to import essential gadgets and machinery.
“By adopting a comprehensive approach, such as the STS, not only can we reclaim our previous production level but also enhance it further,” CHajjro said.
Shah, who introduced the new farming method to Sindh, is hopeful the trend will gain momentum in the next few years.
“There are farmers who are waiting for the results,” he said. “Most of the farmers initiated the STS in 2019, and it requires at least five years for trees to develop fruit. If the result comes out positively, as per our expectations, there are chances that mango areas will see a sudden transformation, uprooting old practices and adopting new techniques.”

Riaz Haq said...

A Heat Wave’s Lamented Victim: The Mango, India’s King of Fruits
Blistering spring temperatures have devastated crops of the country’s most beloved fruit. “The soul of a farmer shudders at seeing these fruitless trees,” one grower said.


https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/25/world/asia/india-heat-wave-mango.html

India is the world’s largest mango producer, accounting for nearly 50 percent of the global crop. Much of it is consumed domestically, but the country exports tens of millions of dollars’ worth of mangoes each year to the United Arab Emirates, Britain, Germany and the United States. Over the past decade, India has been trying to penetrate markets in other European Union countries as well.

In the past, export growth has been limited by the higher costs of Indian mangoes compared with those from countries like Brazil, Peru, Israel and Pakistan. India has been striving to increase productivity, which would lower costs.

Even before the extreme heat, India’s mango exports had been badly damaged by the supply chain disruptions of the pandemic, with shipments abroad shrinking by almost 50 percent last year. India’s top export organization had hoped for a big turnaround this year as the Indian and U.S. governments eased trade rules.