Pakistani kinnow mandarin exporters are zoning in on Russia after enjoying a record export season, reports Pakistan's The News.
Ahmad Jawad, CEO of exporter Harvest Tradings, told the paper that Russia held huge potential for Pakistani kinnow exports – which exceeded the US$100m mark for the first time ever in 2010/11.
'Our focus should be on the Russian market with regard citrus,' he said. 'Russia is ready to absorb as much as we are able to export in the coming season.'
Russian demand for citrus is rising due to a surge in healthy-eating, Mr Jawad said. Russian citrus imports rose 29 per cent in volume between January and April this year.
'The Russian fruit market is far from saturation,' said Mr Jawad. 'Citrus is the most popular fruit in Russia after apples.'
Russian per capita fruit consumption remains lower than Europe, the US, Japan and China, the report said.
