‘Mango exports to US prove to be costly’
The conditions and requirements set for Pakistani mango exports to US have made it a costly affair, said CEO Harvest Tradings Ahmad Jawad on Friday.
Mango importers in the US are concerned about the financial feasibility of selling Pakistani mangoes as, because of high prices they they may not be able to clinch much of a market except the niche die-hard Pakistani mango fans, added Jawad in a statement.
The shipping and handling costs come to around $22 for a two kilogramme carton unless they are given more options for shipping and irradiation destinations to bring down costs and facilitate importers to the US.
USAID spent $3.1 million to help Pakistani mango growers get fruits ready for export.
Under USAID supervision, 80 Pakistani mango farm owners received training and funding to streamline sort, wash, pack and store the fruits in order to meet global standards.
Jawad said US authorities have designated only one port, Chicago for Pakistani mangoes; from there, the imported fruit will be shipped to a facility in Iowa for irradiation treatment to destroy bacteria and insects. Despite the availability of local irradiation companies, Pakistani exports have to accept this condition of the US for around 2 to 3 years, said Jawad.
Pakistan Horticulture and Export Company claims that Pakistan is expected to dispatch its first commercial mango consignment to the United States this month.
The government consignment had been planned for July 27 instead of June 1 under the umbrella of Pakistan Horticulture and Export Company in collaboration with Pakistan embassy in US.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 9th, 2011.
COMMENTS (4)
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Pakistani Mango to US market is a nightmare
Its not the matter to sell the mangoes to US. The US governemt should facilitate this matter interims of access the market with more locations. we dont request to USAID that by hook or crook trained us. They know very well that pakistani mangoes are best in the world if we trained them then US people must enjoy the taste of this king fruit in coming years. Mr.Jawad highlighted very genuine points.
So dont sell to the US
so even after we begged them for access, took all their money for training and improving farming, and, after getting favorable export discounts we have proved our familiar incompetency in producing some product in reasonable international rates. And we plan to grow our economy like this? shameful...