FPCCI seeks body to promote citrus exports

Official wants bottlenecks sorted as country aims to increase revenue.

KARACHI: Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Standing Committee on Horticulture and Agriculture Produce Chairman Ahmad Jawad has said that citrus is a major contributor in the country’s horticulture exports, and its requires a professional approach to help overcome bottlenecks.

According to a statement issued by the body, Jawad said a body was needed that would actively lobby on issues such as export market access, development, biosecurity, quarantine and industrial relations.

“Similarly, development and promotion, breaking down barriers to export markets, facilitating new National Internal Maturity Standards for the whole of industry and developing more effective domestic promotion programs will be required,” stated Jawad.

Almost 21 million metric tons citrus is being produced from over 450,000 acres in the province of Punjab, out of which Sargodha was producing almost 1.1 million tons from over 224,000 acres.

Meanwhile, elaborating on the upcoming Kinnow season, Jawad said that quantity and quality is improving. Farmers and exporters are optimistic that the total quantum may cross a healthy figure of 300,000 tonnes.

Major boost in export came from the Afghan market last year, which is estimated to have consumed half of foreign sales of kinnow for this year. Although, officially bound for Afghanistan, many consignments went right up to Central Asian states. Afghanistan became the transit for supplies to the former Soviet states.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 28^th, 2015.

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