KARACHI: The country has fixed a low kinno export target of 300,000 tonnes for the current season amid stiff competition in Russian market.

Patron-in-Chief All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association (PFVA) Waheed Ahmed said the target was reduced by 50,000 tonnes as exporters suffered huge losses in Russian market during the last season.

He said various countries had financially supported their exporters but in Pakistan the government did not give much support. “A close coordination and cooperation among the shipping companies, relevant ministries and departments is a must to achieve the export target,” he asserted.

Since the existing orchards have already completed their lifecycle and don’t have adequate resistance to protect against effect of climatic changes and diseases, exporters are now confronted with issue of quality and it’s need of the hour to harvest new varieties of citrus fruits, he suggested.

The season of citrus fruits is limited to four months. However, with production of new varieties, this period can be extended to eight months which may enhance export volume, he added.

Published in Dawn, December 8th, 2019