According to Waheed Ahmed of the All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Association (PFVA), this year's kinnow is of high quality and the crop is expected to be ready for export by the end of November. Exporters are expecting the fruit to fetch a little above $220 million
“We were able to take advantage of its early maturity and exported it by November 25, which not only helped us attain the export target, but even to exceed it,” he added. Last season, the country exported 340,000 tons of kinnow, fetching around $200 million.
“The export target has not been fixed as yet. This year, the quality of fruit is excellent; however, the production seems to be less than last year,” Ahmed added. Talking about the new markets, he said Indonesia has given quotas for February and March, while negotiations are underway for December and January, as well.
“Pakistan’s total exports to Indonesia are around $171 million, and imports stand at $2 billion. There is no quota limits in Pakistan for Indonesian products, but still our products face several restrictions.”
“The government should pursue the issue with their Indonesian counterparts so that the 1,600 containers market could be properly tapped. One container carries 27 tons of kinnow,” he added.
Ahmed said that this year exporters would also tap into Chinese markets, which have long been dormant despite the fact there are no quota or quarantine restrictions. “Moreover, neighbouring Iran is likely to grant quota this year and Pakistan would be able to export 50,000 tons of citrus.”
Ahmed said that they are in talks with the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) to send an exploratory delegation to Africa to find markets for Pakistani fruits and vegetables. There is an international market worth $15 billion of citrus varieties and its value-added products. Pakistan, by introducing other varieties of kinnow in the country, can generate over $1 billion through exporting the fruit every year, he added.
