KARACHI, Oct 19: Mango harvest loss figures up to 40 per cent while only 5 per cent of total harvest is exported and that also at relatively lower price. High air transportation cost further reduces the profit margin.
Lack of picking skills, low level of clean and hygienic handling, non-removal of field heat, lack of proper packing and cold storage facilities at main growing areas, inadequate grading, traditional packing and transportation, high tariff and delays by shipping lines, lack of refrigerated transport, difficulty in maintaining quality at destination and inadequate market information were identified as the main problems by experts here at an international workshop.
A spokesman of NTFFC told APP here on Tuesday that the knowledge sharing event was organized by National Trade and Transportation Facilitation Committee of Federal Ministry of Commerce, and Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Board which was participated by representatives of local and foreign research organizations, and mango growers and exporters besides concerned government authorities.
They also proposed for setting up of two mango supply hubs with cold storage facilities at Tando Allah Yar in Sindh and Rahim Yar Khan in Punjab.
Chief Technical Adviser United Nations' Commerce and Trade Development Organization Will Keenan and NTTFC Executive Secretary Javaid Mansoor presented findings of various studies on mango exports conducted by various local and international institutions.
Mr Javaid pointed out the lack of implementation of available information regarding action requirements, non-establishment of correct temperature and atmospheric conditions for cold storage of Pakistani varieties of mangoes.
He listed the post-harvest processing requirements that included the use of tools to avoid latex damage, use of plastic baskets for collection of mangoes, their proper washing and grading, use of hot water or vapour treatment to protect against fungus, and waxing of hot water treated mangoes and hydro-cooling.
About post-harvest arrangements, he recommended for provision of agricultural extension services to farmers, training programme for harvest labour, availability of post-harvest processing at or close to farms, establishing of quality assurance laboratories at key locations, developing of national brand for export varieties meeting quality standards in terms of variety, size, colour, appearance and taste.
Mr Keenan pointed out that packing and cold storage facilities were required in producing areas and regional wholesale markets that the use of wooden crates for exports purpose be avoided.
He suggested that standard sized, moisture-proof and strong fibre-board boxes with ventilator holes be used.
Regarding better packing and cold storage, he recommended to establish packing and labelling standards, and provide financial incentives to private sector for development of this industry.
He further suggested that the exports should mainly be done by sea in refrigerated containers as the air transport charges were very high. The transportation from producing areas to sea ports should also be made in refrigerated containers of shipping lines. Exporters and shipping lines should also ensure the availability of refrigerated containers in producing areas at the required time.
Mr Keenan said international market trends called for fewer and larger processors and handlers, packing houses and cold storage facilities in fruit production markets, stringent food safety requirements, automated systems for grading and packing and maritime transport in refrigerated containers.
He informed that Asian consumers prefer sweeter mangoes while European consumers prefer lower sugar content.
In the international market, most acceptable mango size was 400 to 500 grams. The mangoes should be physiologically mature on arrival and that these should be tasty and fibreless. These should be relatively firm with uniform shape and the packing should be in fibre-board boxes, he said.-APP