A delegation of Australian agriculture officials arrive in Karachi on Sunday (May 27) to determine whether Pakistani mangoes are up to global standards, reports The Express Tribune.
The team will spend eight days visiting mango orchards and inspecting processing, treatment and packing facilities in Karachi, Multan and Lahore before deciding whether or not to approve imports into Australia.
Australia could be the third lucrative market to be added to Pakistan's mango export list in two years, after the US and Japan, the report said.
Waheed Ahmed, All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Importers and Exporters and Merchants Association co-chairman, told the publication that certification by the Australian authorities would help Pakistani horticulture get better prices in other markets.
But he cautioned that, as yet, there are limited chances of exports to Australia because there are currently no direct flights to the country.
Ahmed added that Pakistan needs to boost its number of GlobalGAP-registered mango farms, presently around 24, in order to increase exports to profitable markets.
