Kinnow exporters target two new markets this year
Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research expects exports to increase about 20% in current season
PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD:
Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Sahibzada Mehboob Sultan has announced that Pakistan’s fruit exporters can target two new international markets - the Philippines and China - this year for citrus shipments.
He made the announcement during a visit to a citrus export processing unit in Bhalwal, Sargodha.
The minister emphasised that Pakistan’s land was blessed with immense natural resources and it was the most fertile. “We have best farmers and agriculture marketing experts but ironically we could not achieve desired results. There is a lack of administration or management for channeling those resources,” he said.
He voiced hope that food experts and economists could work out a viable solution for self-reliance in food, adding that Pakistan could access lucrative international markets through quality exports.
“Punjab has an exclusive position internationally in the production of agricultural crops; kinnow is our pride and … is exported to 58 countries across the world,” he said.
He expected about 20% increase in citrus exports from Pakistan in the current season. Last year, the country exported 30,000 tons of kinnow to Indonesia - the second largest market after Russia.
The minister also pointed to the many challenges Pakistan was facing internationally, particularly in dealing with the European Union and developed countries, which were erecting barriers in the way of exports of agricultural goods. The US, Australia, Japan, South Korea and even a few Central Asian countries are not importing Pakistani kinnow anymore and those who are importing are not paying attractive prices.
“The world is setting new standards for imports such as sanitary and phytosanitary standards, elimination of pesticide residue, cold treatment and pest-free area,” the minister said. “These are difficult and costly conditions and hence affecting our exports to a considerable level.”
He underlined the need for following the principles of integrated management and producing quality agro-products.
He said Pakistan’s citrus exporters were facing two problems which included citrus canker and citrus graining as the EU, Australia and the US had stopped imports from countries where these diseases were found in the citrus fruit.
“We have to work jointly to continue to be part of the international trade and have to adopt new methods and bring our production in line with the standards defined by the World Trade Organisation (WTO),” the minister said.
He asked all stakeholders to come up with a comprehensive plan including a facility for the inspection of diseases, a disease control programme, building nurseries for disease-free saplings, meeting international standards and access to new and profitable international markets.
He pointed out that his ministry had established a facilitation centre in Bhalwal, where inspectors of the Department of Plant Protection would facilitate exporters regarding inspection and issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary certificates.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 4th, 2019.
Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Sahibzada Mehboob Sultan has announced that Pakistan’s fruit exporters can target two new international markets - the Philippines and China - this year for citrus shipments.
He made the announcement during a visit to a citrus export processing unit in Bhalwal, Sargodha.
The minister emphasised that Pakistan’s land was blessed with immense natural resources and it was the most fertile. “We have best farmers and agriculture marketing experts but ironically we could not achieve desired results. There is a lack of administration or management for channeling those resources,” he said.
He voiced hope that food experts and economists could work out a viable solution for self-reliance in food, adding that Pakistan could access lucrative international markets through quality exports.
“Punjab has an exclusive position internationally in the production of agricultural crops; kinnow is our pride and … is exported to 58 countries across the world,” he said.
He expected about 20% increase in citrus exports from Pakistan in the current season. Last year, the country exported 30,000 tons of kinnow to Indonesia - the second largest market after Russia.
The minister also pointed to the many challenges Pakistan was facing internationally, particularly in dealing with the European Union and developed countries, which were erecting barriers in the way of exports of agricultural goods. The US, Australia, Japan, South Korea and even a few Central Asian countries are not importing Pakistani kinnow anymore and those who are importing are not paying attractive prices.
“The world is setting new standards for imports such as sanitary and phytosanitary standards, elimination of pesticide residue, cold treatment and pest-free area,” the minister said. “These are difficult and costly conditions and hence affecting our exports to a considerable level.”
He underlined the need for following the principles of integrated management and producing quality agro-products.
He said Pakistan’s citrus exporters were facing two problems which included citrus canker and citrus graining as the EU, Australia and the US had stopped imports from countries where these diseases were found in the citrus fruit.
“We have to work jointly to continue to be part of the international trade and have to adopt new methods and bring our production in line with the standards defined by the World Trade Organisation (WTO),” the minister said.
He asked all stakeholders to come up with a comprehensive plan including a facility for the inspection of diseases, a disease control programme, building nurseries for disease-free saplings, meeting international standards and access to new and profitable international markets.
He pointed out that his ministry had established a facilitation centre in Bhalwal, where inspectors of the Department of Plant Protection would facilitate exporters regarding inspection and issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary certificates.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 4th, 2019.