New season: Export of oranges may fetch $200m

KARACHI:

The export target for oranges (kinnow) has been set at 325,000 tons for the current year with estimated revenue generation of $200 million, says Waheed Ahmed, Co-Chairman of the Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchant Association (PFVA).

Overall production of the mandarin orange during this season is estimated at 1.9 million tons compared to the previous figure of 1.8 million tons, according to a PFVA press release issued on Wednesday. Since the start of the season on December 1, Pakistan has exported 13,000 tons of oranges. The industry expects higher shipments this year with improved earnings.

The Iranian market, which is considered to have demand for 60,000-70,000 tons, is closed for Pakistani exporters despite the fact that Islamabad imports a large quantity of fruits from Tehran. In addition to this, Pakistani banks are reluctant to issue E-form for exports to Iran because of US sanctions on the latter.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 11^th,  2014.

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