Pakistan's mango exports are set to plummet this season because of a UN trade embargo on Iran and no shipments so far to the US or Japan, reports The Express Tribune.
To date, Pakistan has exported only 40,000 tonnes of mangoes to world markets, well down on previous years, Waheed Ahmed, co-chairman of Pakistan's produce association said.
Neighbouring Iran annually imported around 30,000 tonnes of Pakistani mangoes, worth some US$10m. But this year the market is closed to exporters as a result of UN sanctions.
Pakistan's produce association said it is appealing to the Ministry of Commerce to use diplomatic channels to resolve the issue.
Pakistani kinnow exports have also suffered as a result of Iran's closure. Only 6,000 tonnes were exported in total this year, compared to 60,000 tonnes in previous years, according to Ahmed.
