Pakistan is likely to increase its fresh mango exports to Europe by 30-50 per cent this coming season compared to last after concerted public and private investment in its post-harvest infrastructure.
Pakistan, which last year received a warning from the EU to tighten up its post-harvest mango treatment or be banned from the market, could ship more than 10,000 tonnes there between June and September this year now that the number of its hot water treatment facilities have increased from three to 25 over the last four months, exporters report.
“With the increased number of hot water treatment facilities the export target for Europe is very much likely to increase by about 30 to 50 per cent,” says Imtiaz Hussain, managing director of Imtiaz Enterprises, which packs and exports mangoes. “The number of facilities has exceeded expectations.”
Pakitan’s departments of plant protection and ministry of food security and research, together with private companies have made considerable investments to improve the country’s mango quality and output over the last year, says Hussain.
“The steps taken by the government departments have made Pakistan mango more acceptable in the European markets,” he says. “The department of plant protection has educated farmers to use fruit nets, fruit fly catchers and fruit bags to get better results. These steps will definitely improve quality of the product which will ultimately boost both demand and exports.”
