Assessing the Impact: Pakistan’s Disappointing Mango Export Performance
Mango Export Target in Jeopardy as Pakistan Faces Production Drop
Pakistan’s mango exporters are facing challenges in achieving their export target of 125,000 tonnes due to a 20% drop in production and what they describe as a poor strategy by the Department of Plant Protection (DPP).
The All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association (PFVA) expressed concerns about the DPP’s new standard operating procedure (SOP), which made hot water treatment (HWT) of mangoes mandatory only from approved plants. As a result, 90% of the 35 plants have been shut down, leading to a loss of $44 million and rendering around 2,500 skilled and unskilled workers jobless. Additionally, 6,000 laborers working with growers have been adversely affected.
The PFVA highlighted the discriminatory policy and favoritism of the DPP, claiming that certain treatment plants are being allowed to operate while modern HWT plants are facing closures. Despite non-approved HWT plants having successfully processed mangoes for export to various countries without any complaints, the DPP is refusing to issue no-objection certificates (NOCs) to these plants over minor objections unrelated to their core operations.
The association raised concerns that the shutdown of 90% of HWT plants is putting immense pressure on the existing operational plants, potentially impacting the treatment of mangoes exported from Pakistan. The PFVA urged the Ministry of National Food Security to address the discriminatory policy and take action against officials who are harming national trade.
PFVA Chairman Muhammad Shehzad Sheikh warned that due to the non-operational status of HWT plants, India may take advantage of the situation and capture international markets, jeopardizing future opportunities for Pakistani exporters.
Earlier predictions by PFVA Patron-in-Chief Waheed Ahmed anticipated a drop in mango production from 1.8 million tonnes last year to 1.44 million tonnes this year. Punjab accounts for 70% of mango production in Pakistan, while Sindh holds a 29% share, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa contributes 1%. Around 50% of mango exports are made via sea, 35% by land, and 15% by air.
