Pakistan’s Kinnow exports to Indonesia surged to $ 23 million in 2016 as compare to $ 3 million in 2013 in the wake of a Preferential Trade Agreement between the two countries, the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) Regional Standing Committee Chairman, Ahmad Jawad said on Sunday.
He said “The ongoing Kinnow export season is affected by climate change and it is most likely that this year's export target will not be achieved.”
Kinnow export targets were set at 3,50,000 tons for this year but due to sudden hail storms, the crop was affected and exporters are unable to meet the buyers’ demand. Sorting is being done on a vast level which has increased the cost of production, said a press release.
“Our agriculture sector is being badly affected due to climate change and the disturbance of seasons along with decreasing water levels”, he added.
The situation could worsen if appropriate measures are not taken, the chairman warned.
“The whole world is being affected by climate change and Pakistan may become the single most affected country in future if pre-emptive measures are not taken” Jawad observed.
Jawad warned that impacts linked to climate change had had strong material and economic pertinence for Pakistan and were estimated to cut billions of dollars from its total GDP by 2050.
