ISLAMABAD, May 7: The stringent standards for export are blocking entry of Pakistani mango into the Japanese market, an official source said on Monday.

Japan has linked the opening of its market for Pakistani mango with the fulfilment of all these requirements notified under the Sanity and Phytosanitary (SPS) system, which had resulted into complete wiping out of the produce from the Japanese market.

According to the official, Pakistan could only export farm products to Japan but these were subject to either higher tariffs or non-tariff barriers. As Pakistan could not export manufactured products to Japan as it was the hub of manufacturing industrial products.

For not fulfilling these standards, Pakistan exports to Japan were steadily on decline for the last many years. During the year 2006, Pakistan’s export to Japan declined by more than seven per cent.

According to Pakistan Horticulture Development Export Board (PHDEB), the government of Japan had agreed to provide assistance in building capacity of Pakistani mango exporters.

The Japanese minister during the visit to Pakistan last month had agreed to provide assistance in this regard. Japan would also help enhance Pakistani fruit exports to other markets as well where import standards were equally strict.

The Russian government among other agriculture products also imposed ban on import of mango from Pakistan but the ministry of commerce has yet to take up the issue with them.

Agriculture produce of Pakistan is facing a series of obstacles in the global market. Access for many commodities is restricted through tariff rate quota — some 1,300 such quotas are currently in place. About 70 per cent of current tariff rate quotas cover products that Pakistan is interested in exporting.