Experts discuss mango export potential

Committed to exploring the export potential of mangoes, speakers at the virtual mango show in Hyderabad emphasised on the need of value addition to fetching higher rates from the international market besides increasing the export volume. The event was organised by the district administration Hyderabad at the Hyderabad Club on Saturday.

Over 20 stalls were set up at the show displaying Sindhri, Duseri, Anwar Ratol, Golden, Lal Badshah, Abusi, Zardalu, Patashu, Ratmagulu, Kala Desi, Jaman, Anokha Sarda and Langra among over a 100 varieties of mangoes.

The commercial consul in the Pakistan embassy in Sweden and Finland, Ghulam Mustafa, said the embassy in Sweden has helped increase imports of Pakistani mangoes. According to him, they have set the target at 150,000 tons with $127 million proceeds.

"But still a small price of $1.18 is being paid to Pakistani farmers while the freight rates [of an airline] are three times higher," he observed. He told that the embassy has created a website through which both the importers and exporters are being facilitated.

Meanwhile, Tariq Kareem, consul general of Pakistan in Chicago, United States of America, pointed out that there are various issues that are hindering mango imports from Pakistan. According to him, the mangoes from Latin and South American countries are being sold at a very high price of $30 to $40 per two kilogramme in the US market.

Prof Ismail Kumbhar of Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, informed that Pakistan grows over 250 mango varieties with 150 varieties being produced in Sindh province alone. "Yet, we need quality production to capture the international market." According to him, around 40 per cent post-harvest losses of mangoes have been recorded in Pakistan. Whereas, China has reduced the losses to around 3 per cent, he said.

Vice President of Sindh Abadgar Board, Mehmood Nawaz Shah, said mangoes currently being exported to the Middle East fetched low prices. "If you can't provide quality and competitiveness, you can't increase the volume of exports."

He compared the mango-producing country Pakistan with Netherlands, saying the former produced about 1.7 billion tonnes of mangoes and the latter exported a still higher quantum of mangoes despite not being able to grow a single kilogramme of mangoes. He added that the Netherlands imported mangoes from other countries and exported the same fruit after rebranding the product.