Pakistan's fruit exporters, particularly mango traders, face tough challenges due to the devaluation of pound sterling and euro, rising airfreight costs and the expensive hot water treatment (HWT), Waheed Ahmed, chairman of Pakistan's fresh produce exporters association, told Pakistan's The News.
Last year, exporters sustained huge financial losses due to devaluation of the European currencies, he said.
Ahmed appealed to the government for financial help, stating that, otherwise, it would be a struggle to remain in the European markets.
He told the paper that Pakistan's mango export volumes could berestricted to 2,000-3,000 tonnes if a government relief package was not extended to exporters.
Among other issues, Ahmed also expressed serious concern over frequent increases in cargo rates by shipping companies, limited space at terminals leading to congestion, and harassment of exporters by the Federal Board of Revenue.
