All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association Patron-in-chief Waheed Ahmed say mango export volume in 2020 is likely to witness 70% decline compared to the previous season. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
KARACHI: The National Assembly (NA) Special Committee on Agriculture will meet on Monday (today) to discuss obstacles in the export of mango to Iran and to the European markets through the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
According to the All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association (APFV) Patron-in-chief Waheed Ahmed, mango export volume in 2020 is likely to witness 70% decline compared to the previous season due to hurdles in shipments to Iran and higher air freight cost of consignments to the European markets.
Ahmed was of the view that due to supply problems and difficulties in accessing the overseas markets, serious issues were faced in the export of mangoes.
He observed that the problems of the exporters were increasing with every passing day.
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The meeting will be chaired by NA Speaker Asad Qaiser and will be attended by federal ministers, members of assembly, Ministry of Food Security and Research, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Aviation, as well as secretaries of other relevant ministries and senior officials of the departments.
Ahmed will represent the APFVA, while representatives of farmers' associations will also attend the session.
According to Ahmed, 90% of the share in mango export by air is held by the foreign airlines and a significant amount of foreign exchange under this head goes out of the country in the form of payment of fares.
He observed that the APFVA always tried to extend business to the PIA but due to “poor” business strategy and “low quality” freight service of the national airline, these efforts never proved fruitful.
He noted that the role of national flag carrier had become of significant importance at a time when the foreign airlines were charging exorbitant fares and it had become difficult to export perishable items to different countries.
Ahmed declared that the national airline was not only receiving high freight but the airline also lacked technical resources for the export of mango consignments.
On May 21, in a meeting with the PIA officials concerned, the PFVA had discussed the export of mangoes through chartered flights.
But the matter did not proceed due to insufficient resources and high freight being charged by the national airline.
These issues had been brought to the notice of the federal government and ministries from time to time, but no effective solution could be presented.
Likewise, problems encountered on land routes have also affected the export of mango to Iran.
One of the reasons is that time for the commercial activity had been reduced by the neighbouring country.
The issue had been brought to the attention of the authorities concerned and a request had been made to Iran to extend the duration of working hours for the movement of commercial goods across the border, including mangoes.
The NA special committee will also take up this issue and it is expected that it will be resolved soon.
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