After three years of falling short, Pakistani kinnow exporters are set to reach their export target of 200,000 tonnes of the citrus fruit this season.
This improved season is largely the result of a growth in demand from Indonesia and Malaysia alongside more traditional markets for kinnow, such as Bangladesh, Russia and Ukraine.
If exports continue at their current rate, industry experts anticipate a total of 215,000 tonnes of kinnow will be exported, a market worth approximately US$120m.
The chairman of the All Pakistan Vegetable and Fruit Exporters Association, Waheed Ahmad, has been critical of several government departments for failing to resolve issues the kinnow industry has faced which have contributed to their export shortfalls.
One of the greatest drawbacks has been the loss of the Iranian market, historically a key export destination for kinnow, as a result of US sanctions. Another has been the difficulties exporting the fruit to Indonesia, which had featured prominently in export plans to exchange kinnow for palm oil.
The Indonesian government’s closure of the Port of Jakarta to fresh produce has incurred extra costs for exporters who are forced to ship via Surabaya and then transfer their produce across land.
Last month, the Pakistan Citrus Fruits and Persimmons Processor's Association wrote a letter to the Indonesian ambassador to Pakistan, highlighting the industry's concern over the matter which they claimed cost them an extra US$2,500 per shipment.
