Fruit exports: Lack of safety standards hurting exports

Almost one-third of fruits are wasted before it reaches consumers.

ISLAMABAD:

Chief executive officer of Harvest Tradings, Ahmad Jawad, said that Pakistan produces above 14 million tons of fruit and vegetables annually but almost one-third of it is wasted before it reaches consumers.

He said that we stand at bottom level in the world horticulture market worth of $180 billion. In a press statement, he said that Pakistan needs sanitary and phytosanitary measures and food safety legislation to ensure compliance for better access to global markets.

He suggested that government which is already providing subsidy to wheat and sugar sectors should come forward to support horticulture products specially the value added products.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 3^rd, 2013.

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