KARACHI: Pakistan has exported around 2,200 tonnes of mangoes, fetching $1.1 million, since the start of export season on May 20.

All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchant Association’s (PFVA) Research and Development Chairman Waheed Ahmed said mango was being exported to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iran, Afghanistan, CIS countries and Oman, among others.

He said the fruit was being exported for about $500 per tonne this season compared to $250 last year.

He attributed improved earnings to the government ban on using wooden boxes for fruit and vegetable exports.

Ahmed said a delegation of Iranian Quarantine Department is also coming this month to review the prospects of hot water treatment plants.

Some exporters are already making shipments to Iran after getting approval from the quarantine department.

Mango exports to Iran would rise further if plants are approved during the visit, he added.

Around 29 hot water treatment plants are operational this year as compared to last year’s three.

“Exporters are hopeful that mango shipments would cross the export target of 100,000 tonnes fetching $60 million compared to 94,000 tonnes ($48 million) last year,” he said.

Pakistan is expected to produce around 1.8 million tonnes mangoes this year.

Published in Dawn, May 26th, 2015

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