Export target for oranges missed

Unfavourable weather reduces production.

KARACHI:

Pakistan has failed to achieve its target of exporting 260,000 tons of oranges because of low production due to rains towards the end of the season, says an industry official.

Exports currently stand at 190,000 tons, while another 20,000 are expected to be shipped by the end of March, taking the total export volume to 210,000 tons.

Last year, 250,000 tons of oranges were exported at an average price of $0.4 per kilogramme, earning foreign exchange worth $100 million. However, the country had to face a deficit of $35 million because the target could not be met.

According to Waheed Ahmed, former chairman of the All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association, exports for the current year will be 40,000 tons less than last year.

Production of oranges was 400,000 tons less than last year, representing a 25 per cent decrease. In the preceding year, 1.8 million tons were produced, while production this year is only 1.4 million tons.

Meanwhile, prices have almost doubled, rising from Rs600 per 40 kg at the end of last season to Rs1,100 per 40 kg.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 8^th, 2011.