KARACHI: Kinno export target has been trimmed to 200,000 tonnes from 350,000 tonnes last year in view of sharp production losses due to unfavourable weather conditions to 1.65 million tonnes of the fruit this season from 1.96m tonnes last year.

Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association (PFVA) Chairman Waheed Ahmed said kinno exports got under way from Dec 1, 2015 but quantities were the lowest in years.

“Unfortunately climate change has become another challenge for growers, exporters and government institutions and to save the kinno industry, research and development at every level is direly needed, he observed. He said kinno export would largely depend on traditional markets including Russia, UAE, Philippines, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Singapore and Canada.

“Kinno exports to Iran slumped to 1,000 tonnes from 70,000 tonnes due to heavy import duty and reluctance in issuing permits by Tehran,” he deplored.

Pakistani banks were not issuing E-form, he added.

He said exporters were also exploring lucrative market of Thailand which is already importing citrus worth $145 million from China, Taiwan, Australia South Korea and others.

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2015