Low margins, restrictions force US mango exports into cold store
In 2011, Pakistani growers exported five tons of the country's signature fruit to the United States and had hoped for a higher yield this year.
But if exports grind to a halt, it could prove embarrassing for efforts dubbed "mango diplomacy" in 2010 when US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton offered to help Pakistan export the fruit in a bid to ease anti-Americanism.
The US embassy was unavailable for comment, but announced in January that US support had helped select mango growers increase regional exports by more than 60 percent and revenue by more than $4 million over the past year.
Pakistani officials confirmed the assistance, but said sending mangoes to the United States was not cost effective.
"Pakistan cannot export mangoes to the United States this season because of certain restrictions, which the growers feel makes the business unprofitable," Kashif Niazi, an official at the commerce ministry, told AFP.
An official at the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, which regulates exports, said producers had been annoyed by compulsory US irradiation in Chicago that ate into their profits.
Although Pakistan has its own irradiation plant, it has not been approved by the United States. Transporting the mangoes to the United States has been another expense and complication, the Pakistanis added.
Asif Iqbal, a mango grower in Sargodha district of Punjab province, told AFP that unless the irradiation issue was resolved and more US markets found "it will never be profitable for us to do business with America".
A Pakistani official speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity confirmed that US aid had helped modernise mango production and improve exports, particularly to the Gulf.
COMMENTS (13)
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Just declare transportation costs and irradiation 'un-Islamic'. I expect btw a suo moto case to be launched soon. But first the vulgarity in the media.
Forget about USA even in Middle east the quality of export of mangoes is lousy , because the packing is so third class. The sizing and shelf life is not even. It is old saying in Pakistan , make money and run, no one gives any concern for building quality brand the margins always come later.
I say CJ is behind this! He is not letting PM doing there job and hence we cannot export Mangos to USA any more. Jiya Bhutto! LOLs
"An official at the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, which regulates exports, said producers had been annoyed by compulsory US irradiation in Chicago that ate into their profits. Although Pakistan has its own irradiation plant, it has not been approved by the United States"
Seems like the solution is for the trade authority of Pakistan to work on getting the Pakistani irradiation center approved. Incidentally, Indian irradiation center in Nasik has been approved by USA and Indian mango exports to US are growing. http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-06-07/news/321011031kesar-mangoes-irradiation
@Atif Yousufzai
Unclear how Hussain Haqqani is being blamed? It is not as though USA has changed its decision to allow Pakistani exports. Pakistani ambassador cannot control commercial viability of exports. Pakistan's own people seem to be admitting that US AID projects has helped Pakistan increase mango exports to the gulf.
"Transporting the mangoes to the United States has been another expense and complication, the Pakistanis added."
Huh? You want to export mangoes to US but consider transportation as a complication?
"A Pakistani official speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity confirmed that US aid had helped modernise mango production and improve exports, particularly to the Gulf."
Are people scared to even acknowledge US help and have to do it anonymously?
India is sending much sweeter mangoes in USA. And our business men can only think abt their profit margins. tabhi india har cheez mae agay hae
why don't we exports mangoes to US soldier in Afghanistan rather than sending to US. we send few trucks of mangoes along with nato trucks
export mango growers along with cuttings!
Pakistan blocks Mango supply line ..... US must "apologise"
Our blood sucking middle men (mango exporters) can only suck the blood off the land of pure, any civilized nation will not let them do the same to their people as they are not a bunch of low lying people as we are!
That is correct, unfortunately. Asian mangoes are difficult to get in the US - and other South Asian countries face the same issues of cost. Not surprisingly, 99% of the mangoes that are sold in the US are from Mexico or from Central and South American countries. Their treatment plants are approved by the USDA.
Former Ambassador Mr. Haqqani lone project didn't produce long time results.