LAHORE, Aug 17: Pakistan has sent first consignment of 50 tons of mangoes to Iran by sea. The consignment of ‘chaunsa’ variety of mangoes was sent under the supervision of the Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Board. According to the chief operating officer, the Iranian government had also allowed the import of 6,020 tons of mango from Pakistan and issued permits to different parties.

He recalled that Iran used to be the biggest market for Pakistani mangoes, which was later, lost to other competitors. With the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Iran, Pakistan is now on its way to retrieve the situation and could export 100,000 tons of mangoes to Iran in due course of time.

He also said that the present consignment would be delivered at the Badar Abbas sea port as Iran had quarantine facilities only at sea port or air port. It is still to establish such facilities at land entry points. Once they are established, mangoes could also be sent through land routes and make them more competitive in the Iranian market.

An Iranian team, he said, had visited Pakistan and cleared all of its quarantine and other procedural facilities. Insurance process of mango consignments has also been started to cover all risks in the process. The cumulative effect of all these factors, he said, should encourage more exports and help Pakistan recover its lost ground in the Iranian market.