LAHORE, June 26: The trial exports of mango to Iran will start next month. “The Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Board will assist mango exporters in this regard,” PHDEB Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shamoon Sadiq told this agency here.

He said Iran had approved three Karachi-based processing plants for mango exports for hot water dipping process before their onward transportation.

These plants are - Iftikhar Ahmed and Co, Durrani Associates and Quespak.

Shamoon said the head of External Plant Quarantine Iran, Dr. Mohammad Raza Asghari, visited various quarantine and processing facilities for mango and citrus fruit last week.

He said the Iranian quarantine expert was satisfied with Pakistani quarantine and processing facilities for mango export to Iran.

He said Dr. Asghari also visited Bhalwal to see processing facilities for citrus fruit.

Shamoon said the Iranian requirement for mango export was dipping of fruit in hot water at 45 degree Celsius for 75 minutes to make it free from any pest as a part of phytosanitary treatment.

He said the PHDEB Board of Directors would meet here on June 28 (Tuesday) and board Chairman Afaq Tiwana will preside over the meeting.