The US has given Pakistan the green light to begin its first-ever commercial mango exports to America, according to a leading exporter.
Ahmad Jawad, founder of Islamabad-based grower-shipper Harvest Tradings, told Fruitnet.com that airshipments from Lahore to Chicago were allowed to start last week.
“Exporters may send the mangoes to US from June 1. Harvest Tradings Pakistan will start its shipment between 15-20 June with the Chaunsa variety,” he said.
The US plant inspection service Aphis has so far issued seven permits to US buyers, Mr Jawad added.
All fruit will be irradiated at Sadex Corporation, Sioux City, Illinois, prior to distribution, he said.
Pakistan is on track to export a total 165,000 tonnes of Sindhri and Chaunsa mangoes to international markets this season, 25,000 tonnes more than the official export target set for the year, according to Mr Jawad.
“Weather conditions were very favorable in Punjab and Sindh provinces this year, so production is up and we will hopefully exceed the export target,” he said.
