KARACHI: Fruit and vegetable exports grew 12.5 per cent to $730 million in FY20 despite global pandemic and lockdown.

However, in terms of quantity the overall fruits and vegetable exports dropped by 7.6pc to 1.643 million tonnes in 2019-20.

All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Impor­­ters and Merchants Asso­ciation (PFVA) Patron-in-Chief Waheed Ahmed said exporters adopted realistic strategies while the federal government extended all help and took timely decisions by removing barriers to boost exports especially to Iran and Afghanistan.

He said when the Covid-19 was spreading fast, the entire world was in desperate need of fruits and vegetables containing vitamins to minimize ill-effects of this pandemic. “Pakistan grabbed this opportunity and managed to export kinno, potato and onion despite transportation and logistics issues, he added.

Cut in freight charges by PIA also facilitated mango exports to many countries. Also a ban by Indian government on onion provided an opportunity thus leading to an increase in its exports.

Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2020