ISLAMABAD, Feb 2: Export of kinoo (citrus fruit) has registered growth of over 30 per cent up to December 2005, over the previous year. Official statistics available with Dawn indicated that Pakistan exported 38,102 tons of kinno in 2005 as against 28,597 tons during the previous year.

These kinoos were shipped in 1,538 containers as against 1,084 containers exported during the previous year.

This year, kinoo production is expected to increase to 2.5 million tons compared to 1.7 million tons last year, an increase of 47 per cent.

According to an official the major export market for kinoo is Russia followed by Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and Iran. There is a big chance for increasing export of kinoo to Iran due to the massive demand in that market.

Similarly, due to major reduction in customs duty on import of kinoo under the preferential market access (PTA) export of kinoo to China would increase manifold from Jan 2006.

According to the official, Iran has agreed to consider transit period for shipment through reefer containers as part of cold treatment, provided the temperature requirements are met. These rules would now allow the export of kinno in reefer containers equipped with cold storage facilities and high precision temperature recording system.