Pakistani mangoes set to enter Australian market

Australian authorities approve two treatment facilities for export of mangoes

KARACHI:

Pakistan has managed to enter the Australian mango market after the latter approved two mango treatment facilities.

Taking to his Twitter handle, Adviser to PM on Commerce, Industry and Production said, “Two mango treatment facilities in Pakistan, Mustafa Farm and IAC, have been approved by Australian authorities for export of mangoes from Pakistan.”

The announcement was made on the same day (May 25) when mango exports began. “This has been done just in time for the mango season,” added Dawood.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, IAC Director Marketing Waheed Ahmed said, “It is good news, however, we need to promote our product to make its place in the market.”

Ahmed, who is also Patron-in-Chief of All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association, mentioned that Australia grew its own mangoes but its weather conditions were opposite as compared to Pakistan. Thus, “when we have mango season, which comes in summer, it is winter in Australia.”

“This is how we have availed the opportunity to increase our mango exports and earn foreign exchange for Pakistan,” Ahmed said.

The mango export target is 150,000 tons for the current season, which is estimated to fetch foreign exchange worth $127.5 million.

The association patron-in-chief recalled that last year the mango export target was 80,000 tons keeping in view the significant negative impact on the economy of Covid-19 and subsequent logistic challenges. However, due to extraordinary demand for mangoes globally, the export was enhanced to 140,000 tons, fetching $120 million.

Pakistan produces around 1.8 million tons of mangoes while 400,000 people earn their livelihood from the export of this seasonal fruit, stated Ahmed.

He added that on the one hand the Rs100 billion Pakistani mango industry was facing serious issues related to climatic change and scarcity of water while on the other hand, limited flight operations, restrictions on flights by numerous countries and higher air freight charges increased the cost of export.

Contrary to last year, the export of mangoes via sea this year face stiff challenges due to shortage of reefer containers and high freight costs.

Of the total export volume of mangoes, 55% is exported by sea, 25% by land route and 20% by air.

The association urged the government to also focus on the lucrative international markets of Russia and China for the export of mangoes. It recommended that mango promotion drives should be launched for wider publicity of the fruit.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 26^th, 2021.

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