Pakistan’s fruit exports, during the fiscal year 2007-08, surged by 27 per cent in terms of value and 20 per cent in terms of volume despite various obstacles faced by the country’s export community.
Amongst the problems highlighted by Pakistan’s fruit exporters’ association was an alleged “non-cooperative attitude” from foreign shipping lines operating services between Pakistan and destinations across the globe.
During the financial year, Pakistan exported 413.726 tonnes of fruit, with a net value of $144.676 million (£73m).
The Pakistan Daily Times quotes a leading fruit exporter as crediting the surge to collective effort.“An overwhelming number of exporters either in their individual capacity or collectively have frequently been visiting Gulf and Far Eastern countries besides European destinations for exploring markets, especially for mango and kinnow” he added.
He also accused the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) of favouring a small number of exporters in its international promotional efforts, while overlooking large numbers of willing participants.
During the last few years, mango and kinnow crops have experienced weather and financial difficulties that have reduced annual yields.
Shipping companies have been accused of taking advance bookings for consignments of fruit, before leaving them at the port of Karachi “without plausible justification”, causing “irreparable financial damage to exporters”.
