Pakistan's fresh produce exports have grown considerably over the course of the first 10 months of the fiscal year, according to new figures released by the country's Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS).
According to the FBS, fruit exports for the July 2009-April 2010 period jumped 55.1 per cent, up to US$208.8m (€165.5m) compared with the US$134.6m (€107m) recorded during the year-earlier period, The International News reported.
Similarly, vegetable shipments from Pakistan soared from US$59m (€46.9m) in 2008/09 to US$100.9m (€80.2m) in the current fiscal year, an increase of 71.2 per cent.
Meanwhile, local media reports have confirmed that Pakistan's mango export season is well underway to key markets such as Europe and the Middle East, with marketing strategies in place to help raise awareness of the fruit.
Bashir Ahmed, CEO of Pakistan's Horticulture Development and Export Company (PHDEC), told the Business Recorder that there would be 'Taste Pakistan' mango fairs held in the UK and the Netherlands this season, as well as a one-day exhibition and festival in Iran.
'Though we are facing financial problems, we are making all-out efforts to facilitate the exporters,' said Mr Ahmed.
