ISLAMABAD, Aug 11: Pakistan’s horticulture export share remained stagnant at $150 million during the last few years as against the total world horticulture market of $80 billion.

This negligible horticulture share in the world market is due to poor infrastructure, lack of proper packing and grading and low compliance to world standards.

Only 16 per cent of fruits are being processed, although this activity offers great opportunities to augment volume of value-added products using modern technology.

The fruits and vegetables exported in fresh form attract discount prices because exporters are unable to provide adequate grading and packing.

The potential markets for Pakistani exporters have been identified in Europe and the Middle East.

These issues were discussed at length in the first meeting of the sub-committee on infrastructure of the task force on horticulture finance and competitiveness.

The meeting was headed by Secretary Board of Investment Mushtaq Malik. It was attended by representatives of various ministries.

The sub-committee was established to help the task force achieve its goal by ensuring that all relevant actions are taken in developing needed infrastructure to facilitate production, post-harvest handling, storage, transport, processing and export by sea, land and air of the products of horticulture.

An official announcement issued here said the committee identified core areas and issues impacting competitiveness of the horticulture sector in Pakistan.

The meeting confirmed that the horticulture industry required major support in the area of infrastructure.

It was also noted that there were disparities between the infrastructure in Punjab where facilities were generally good and the other provinces.

The committee recognised the need for a national approach that can link production in remote areas with main markets.

The sub-committee will also be including its recommendations on financing requirements for infrastructure projects, where more private sector and public-private partnerships will be encouraged.