ISLAMABAD, Oct 18: Pakistan may be able to export 200,000 tons of kinno this season starting mid-November because of the expected bumper crop which is likely to yield 1.6 million tons.

According to the Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Board (PHDEB) kinno is gaining popularity in new markets such as Czech Republic, China and Germany due to the promotional exhibitions arranged by the government of Pakistan last year.

A recent crop analysis by the PHDEB which found the kinno crop in “very good condition” has generated optimism about an increased export this year.

The board, in collaboration with the Agribusiness Development and Diversification Project (ADDP) and the Agribusiness Support Fund (ASF), has initiated the system of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) through EurepGAP certification.

For the first time a Pakistani orchard has received EurepGAP certification awarded by Bureau Vertias this year. Pakistan’s maiden EurepGAP certification has been awarded to Jamal Din Wali (JDW) orchards in Rahim Yar Kan district.

This certification is likely to help in starting the export of Pakistani citrus to the so-far unexplored US and UK markets. Sanitary and Pythosanitary (SPS) related issues have been haunting Pakistan’s efforts to start export to these valued markets.

The EurepGAP represents a set of standards and procedures which has been developed by the Euro Retailer Produce Working Group (EUREP) and farmer’s representatives for the certification of GAP worldwide.

The standard’s focus is directed on risk analysis and risk prevention for the purpose of food safety, traceability, worker’s health and welfare, environmental pollution and conservation management. It covers exclusively the on-farm production and handling facilities.

Russia has also emerged a sizeable market for Pakistani kinno. But, the issue of the Pakistani rice’s infestation with Khapra beetle has invited a ban on the export of rice last year. A Russian delegation is also visiting Pakistan by the mid of next month.

The delegation comprising experts would inspect farms, orchards and processing plants. Officials at the federal ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (Minfal) are hopeful that they would satisfy the Russian’s queries regarding the domestic standards.

Pakistan’s earning from kinno export has been increasing for the last few years. According to the federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS), the country earned $21.7m during 2001-02, which jumped to $38.96m in 2005-06.