BEIJING, Dec 5: China on Monday sent a delegation to Pakistan, meeting a legal requirement to start import of citrus fruit. The delegation from the China Quarantine Bureau during its weeklong stay in Pakistan will inspect orange (kinoo) orchards and farms to verify its quality and package processing.

China has already agreed to allow import of Pakistani citrus fruit. The visit will pave the way for formal approval by the Chinese government to allow the import, said Shahid Mahmood, commercial counsellor in the Pakistan Embassy.

He expressed the hope that all necessary requirements to sell the Pakistani fruit in the local market would be completed by next month. This will be another step forward promoting the export of agro-based products to China.

“Potential for the sale of horticulture products in the local market is quite rich. We hope to receive encouraging response for marketing of Pakistani orange. Our citrus fruit, especially kinoo, is sweeter and tasty as compared to those currently available in the Chinese market,” Mr Mahmood said.

He said Pakistan had already made an initial breakthrough to introduce Pakistan food products in the Chinese market by launching import of mangoes.

—APP