Pakistani mango exporters are bracing themselves for financial losses of up to £9 million due to freight rate hikes.
“In view of increasing trend in oil prices globally, all air and shipping lines have increased freight charges by 30 per cent to 70 per cent,” Abdul Wahid, chairman of the All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters’ Association, told the country’s Daily Times.
He called on the government to offer subsidies to exporters, to enable them to cope with rising costs, and the country to retain the inflow of valuable foreign currency.
Wahid added that other increases in cost can be attributed to a reduced crop due to unsuitable weather, a 25 per cent increase in packaging material costs and a 20 to 25 per cent increase in labour charges and overheads.
Exporters have voiced concern that this will lead to a 50 per cent decline in exports.“Annual production of mango is around 22 million tonnes but this year expected production would range between 9-10mt due to heavy rains and bad weather,” said Wahid. The Chonsa variety, which represents 50 to 55 per cent of country’s total exports, has been adversely affected by the weather and the losses are at the head of many growers’ problems.
