Pakistani mango exports to Europe are recovering after a significant dip three years ago, after a high incidence of fruit fly interceptions threatened to scupper future trade.
In 2016, Pakistan's mango shipments to the EU and UK rose to 10,000 tonnes, up from a 2,500-tonne low in 2014.
The significant increase is down to concerted efforts by Pakistan's mango sector to improve production standards and conform to European post-harvest hot-water-treatment requirements, said Waheed Ahmed, chairman of Pakistan's fresh produce import and export authority (FPVA).
'In 2013, the EU intercepted 234 mango shipments with fruit fly. In 2014 this went down to only four interceptions. Last season, there were zero interceptions,' Ahmed said.
“All the mango stakeholders, government, growers, exporters, are working together to improve our product, and exports are increasing.'
