KARACHI: Almost 70 per cent of mangoes in Punjab have been damaged by the adverse climate, causing shortage of the fruit in the local market, besides pushing up its rates.

The damage to Punjab crop has also risked meeting export target of 0.1 million tonnes for this season.

Waheed Ahmed, Chairman, Research and Development, Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association (PFVA), said in a statement on Saturday that the country had so far exported 41,000 tonnes of mango worth $22.55 million mainly to the United Arab Emirates, central Asian states, 28-nation European Union, Australia, the United States and Canada.

Pakistani mango is being sold at an increased price in the international market because of its better quality and high demand in Ramazan.

He said exporters were selling mango at an average price of $550 per tonne as compared to $300 per tonne last year.

Despite good demand and better price in the international market, the target was difficult to be met this year due to damages to the crop, he said.

Pakistani horticultural sector has become most vulnerable to global warming and other climatic changes.

To effectively deal with the growing situation for horticultural products, the government is needed to take steps on an emergency basis.

The prevailing situation, he said, is feared to pose irreparable damage to the agricultural sector, ultimately creating a threat to national food security.

He said hot weather, apparently due to global warming, was alarming for agriculturists and agriculture traders. The unusual cold weather in winter season also poses threat to various crops.

According to him, growers, traders and exporters of mango may face huge losses this year.

Waheed urged the government to take measures to minimise losses to the agricultural sector.

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

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

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.