KARACHI: The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has pinned hopes on Iran allowing the import of Pakistani kinno and potato this year.

“We are very optimistic. The Iranian agriculture ministry is allowing the import of kinno and potato in the upcoming season, which will start from December,” FPCCI Standing Committee on Horticulture Exports Chairman Ahmad Jawad said in a statement on Tuesday.

He asked the Iranian embassy to intervene so that formal trade can commence at the earliest. He added that the standing committee has already held detailed talks with the Iranian authorities on the issue.

Pakistan will start exporting kinno in the first week of December as exporters expect the fruit to fetch more than $220 million.

Mr Jawad said kinno is of high quality this year and the crop is expected to be ready by the last week of November.

Pakistan exported 340,000 tonnes of kinno in the last season, fetching around $200m. The export target was almost the same.

The fruit quality is excellent this year, he said, adding that the production seems to be less than last year’s.

Similarly, formal exports of potato from Pakistan to Iran will also start this year, he said.

Talking about the new markets, Mr Jawad said Indonesia has given a quota for February and March whereas negotiations are in progress for December and January.

Pakistan’s total exports to Indonesia are around $171m and imports stand at $2 billion. There is no quota limit for Indonesian products in Pakistan, but Pakistani products face several restrictions in Indonesia.

The Ministry of Commerce should take up the issue with its Indonesian counterpart to tap the 1,600 containers market, he said. One container carries 26 tonnes of kinno.

Mr Jawad said exporters will also capture Chinese markets this year. These have been lying dormant for a long period despite the fact that there are no quota or quarantine restrictions.

Moreover, Iran is likely to grant a quota to Pakistan this year, which will enable it to export 50,000 tonnes of kinno.

He said $15bn worth of citrus varieties and value-added products are in the international market. By introducing other varieties of kinno in the country, Pakistan can generate over $1bn through exporting the fruit every year.

The Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) has already introduced two new varieties of citrus. This needs to be planted at production hubs on a priority basis, he said.

Mr Jawad said the government should activate the Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company to ensure collaboration between the Punjab government and PARC.

Published in Dawn October 26th, 2016

Follow Dawn Business on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Editorial

Afghan turbulence
Updated 19 Mar, 2024

Afghan turbulence

RELATIONS between the newly formed government and Afghanistan’s de facto Taliban rulers have begun on an...
In disarray
19 Mar, 2024

In disarray

IT is clear that there is some bad blood within the PTI’s ranks. Ever since the PTI lost a key battle over ...
Festering wound
19 Mar, 2024

Festering wound

PROTESTS unfolded once more in Gwadar, this time against the alleged enforced disappearances of two young men, who...
Defining extremism
Updated 18 Mar, 2024

Defining extremism

Redefining extremism may well be the first step to clamping down on advocacy for Palestine.
Climate in focus
18 Mar, 2024

Climate in focus

IN a welcome order by the Supreme Court, the new government has been tasked with providing a report on actions taken...
Growing rabies concern
18 Mar, 2024

Growing rabies concern

DOG-BITE is an old problem in Pakistan. Amid a surfeit of public health challenges, rabies now seems poised to ...