Mango exports to fetch $100m
Pakistan is aiming to export 125,000 tonnes of mangoes this season and shipments will commence from May 25. If the target is achieved, the country could fetch an estimated $100 million in foreign exchange, said the Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association (PFVA).
The export target for the current season is 25,000 tonnes higher than last year. However, climate challenges may impact the overall supply of mangoes.
According to PFVA Patron-in-Chief Waheed Ahmed, mango production in Pakistan is consistently declining due to climate change and water scarcity. "There is a risk of up to 20% reduction in total mango production this year as well," he warned.
Ahmed said Pakistan typically produced around 1.8 million tonnes of mangoes annually, with 70% of the crop grown in Punjab, 29% in Sindh and 1% in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. After the projected 20% decline, this season's total production may come down to around 1.4 million tonnes.
He emphasised that efforts were underway to boost mango exports to non-traditional markets. "In addition to our regular buyers, we are targeting Japan, the United States, South Korea and Australia while paying special attention to expanding footprint in Turkey and China," he said.
The PFVA patron-in-chief revealed that South Africa was expected to open its market for Pakistani mangoes in the current season. In this regard, quarantine experts from the African nation will visit Pakistan and it is hoped this will pave the way for beginning mango exports.
Highlighting broader challenges, Ahmed said, "Climate change is a serious challenge facing agriculture and increasing water scarcity is also affecting mango production. There is a pressing need for provincial-level initiatives, including better water management, the development of climate-resilient mango varieties, research and development work and modernisation of the entire agriculture sector including horticulture."
He also pointed to the rising cost of exports amid regional tensions.
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