Mango processing unit starts its operations
The plant will allow Pakistan to tap new markets for exports.
KARACHI:
In a major development for mango exports of the country, one of the biggest hot water treatment plants of mangoes in the world has started its operations in Karachi that will help in finding new important markets for exports.
Speaking at the launch ceremony on Saturday, Pakistan Hortifresh Processing Private Limited Chief Executive Babar Khan Durrani said that the hot water treatment plant will enable Pakistan to export its mangoes to new markets.
The new countries include South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Mauritius, Iran, Lebanon and Jordon while Australia is expected to soon approve imports as they recently inspected the facility, he added.
The plant is setup with public private partnership with an investment of Rs230 million out of which Rs80 million have been provided by Federal Minister for Commerce Makhdoom Amin Faheem.
Pakistan Hortifresh Processing will manage the plant but since it has pubic investment, the plant infrastructure will be used as a common facility centre for all mango exporters of the country.
The treatment plant not only improves the physical appearance of mangoes but it also removes fruit diseases owing to which many countries are reluctant to import Pakistani fruits, speakers said.
Pakistan Fruits and Vegetable Exporters Association former chairman Abdul Wahid said that the plant is a major development for Pakistan’s mango industry because it will add value to the fruit’s exports.
Waheed Ahmed, a leading fruit exporter of country said that Pakistan should continue to invest in research and development to overcome pre- and post- harvest challenges in the country.
Leading fruit exporters said that the adoption of new technologies such as treatment plants has enabled Pakistan to increase the shelf life of mangoes to 35 days. Since the exporters have increased shelf life of mangoes, they can now export the fruit through sea routes with extremely low freight rates compared to air routes.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 10th, 2012.
In a major development for mango exports of the country, one of the biggest hot water treatment plants of mangoes in the world has started its operations in Karachi that will help in finding new important markets for exports.
Speaking at the launch ceremony on Saturday, Pakistan Hortifresh Processing Private Limited Chief Executive Babar Khan Durrani said that the hot water treatment plant will enable Pakistan to export its mangoes to new markets.
The new countries include South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Mauritius, Iran, Lebanon and Jordon while Australia is expected to soon approve imports as they recently inspected the facility, he added.
The plant is setup with public private partnership with an investment of Rs230 million out of which Rs80 million have been provided by Federal Minister for Commerce Makhdoom Amin Faheem.
Pakistan Hortifresh Processing will manage the plant but since it has pubic investment, the plant infrastructure will be used as a common facility centre for all mango exporters of the country.
The treatment plant not only improves the physical appearance of mangoes but it also removes fruit diseases owing to which many countries are reluctant to import Pakistani fruits, speakers said.
Pakistan Fruits and Vegetable Exporters Association former chairman Abdul Wahid said that the plant is a major development for Pakistan’s mango industry because it will add value to the fruit’s exports.
Waheed Ahmed, a leading fruit exporter of country said that Pakistan should continue to invest in research and development to overcome pre- and post- harvest challenges in the country.
Leading fruit exporters said that the adoption of new technologies such as treatment plants has enabled Pakistan to increase the shelf life of mangoes to 35 days. Since the exporters have increased shelf life of mangoes, they can now export the fruit through sea routes with extremely low freight rates compared to air routes.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 10th, 2012.