Complicated procedure irks mango exporters

Say formalities have hurt exports to the US markets.

MULTAN: The Multan Mango Growers Association has expressed concern over ‘tough export procedures and formalities’ which have limited the export of mangos to the US. The body has demanded that higher authorities ease the process in order to help the growers secure orders.

Multan Mango Growers Association President Maj (Retired) Tariq told the APP that they had exported three consignments of the fruit to the US last year from Lahore, onboard the national airline carrier. He said that the United States Department for Agriculture (USDA) had allowed Pakistan to send mangos to Chicago only; but PIA suspended its Lahore-Chicago route. “The USDA had also permitted Pakistan to send mangos via Dubai to Chicago. Emirates and Etihad fly through Dubai, but the airlines are reluctant to carry perishable goods to the US,” he added.

“Mango growers are facing problems due to the prescribed routes. Flights to Chicago are available on other routes, but the USDA has banned the use of these routes for fruit exports. Exports worth $3.5 million from the Latifabad mango farms have been suspended over the issue,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 1^st, 2012.