Starting from last month, the PFVA (All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association) has doubled its efforts to boost horticultural exports. To this end, Mr Abdul Malik, former PFVA Chairman, has been very busy meeting with high officials in Islamabad, the Russian Federation, South Africa and Kazakhstan.
As explained by Mr Malik, “Pakistan horticultural export need to improve because right now they amount to just 618 million US Dollars, approximately. We need to reach at least 1 billion US Dollars by next year. Since we are only exporting few fruits and few vegetables, namely potatoes and onions, there is a chance of exporting other vegetables also.” He also calls to the need for the Government to help producers in choosing the right crops, showing them suitable areas by means of satellite surveys of the soil, for instance.
Furthermore, a PFVA delegation went to South Africa to study Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) regulations, as well as post-harvest and pre-harvest rules and conditions. They also attended PMA South Africa, where they learnt about how the world’s export/import market works by meeting with many big names/companies in the horticultural industry.
Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has shown to be very keen and supportive of these efforts and called a meeting last week with stakeholders to discuss issues involving horticultural trade, and after a consultation a few days ago, incentives for the agricultural industry were announced which will be beneficial for both producers as well as exporters of horticultural products.
