Pakistan’s mango exports could see a record season this year; with flowering at an all time high, ideal growing conditions and an absence of any major pest or disease pressures traders are expecting a bumper harvest beginning in mid to late May.
Authorities have set an export target of 165,000 tonnes, surpassing last year’s target of 130,000 tonnes, and plan to back that aim up with a series of promotions in growing export markets.
Industry figures think the final export figure for the season may be even higher that the official target.
“Pakistan’s exporters expect it to be more than 170,000 tonnes,” stated Imtiaz Hussain, managing director of exporter Imtiaz Enterprises.
“Pakistan is in a position to export a record quantity of mangoes due to better packing and modern processing facilities, training to farmers and a bumper yield, if things go as smooth as they are.
“Keeping in view the demand in the international market, it can be said that the target could be surpassed substantially as exports would continue till mid-September,” he told Fruitnet.com.
On top of the bumper season, Pakistan’s mango sector is looking bright on several other fronts.
Pakistan's industry bodies are putting substantial effort this season into the development of export markets.
“The Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Board (PHDEB) is looking after this project and they are doing some excellent work on it,” explained Muhammad Asif Iqbal, export director of Naqshbandi Enterprise.
Along with the PHDEB’s efforts, the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) plans to organise two mango exhibitions during the upcoming season.
“TDAP will organise two mango shows, one in Shenzhen during the second week of June and in Moscow during the last week of the same month,” detailed Mr Hussain. “Road shows will also take place besides these shows as promotional activities.”
On the production end of the chain, several foreign aid and development projects are focusing on Pakistan's mango sector.
That was highlighted most recently with the announcement the US Agency for International Development (USAID) plans to establish a mango centre of excellence to boost exports.
