PRODUCTS

mangoes

During 2014-15, Pakistan exported 65,311 tons worth $45.672 million while in 2015-16,64,112 tons were exported valued at $48.387 million.
Most importing countries require vapour heat treatment and irradiation before accepting exports, the officials said, adding that the government has taken steps to improve quality including establishing of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for growers for effective farming and cultivation.
They said that 313 SOP-compliant mango orchards were registered for mango exports to the United States, Australia, Korea, European Union (EU) member countries and other markets after technical audit for quality.
Moreover, the officials said the government provided SOPs to fruit and vegetable exporters and established an irradiation facility and 34 Hot Water Treatment (HWT) and three Vapour Heat Treatment (VHT) facilities to ensure quality compliance by exporters.  The officials said the government has also established 34 ripening chambers along with banning the use of calcium carbide.

oranges

BACKED by higher production and an improved marketing strategy amid better overseas marketing prospects, higher export earnings of citrus fruits cannot be ruled out.
“But much depends on export pricing,” says an official of TDAP. Exports to the Gulf and European countries fetch higher per-unit price, shipments made to countries like Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, and Central Asian states have to be priced keeping in view such important factors like production of citrus fruits in the buyers’ own, or neighbouring countries, and income levels of the end-consumers of the importing nations.
Officials and exporters are optimistic, however, that the per-unit price of citrus fruits would be higher this year because of ongoing improvements made in grading and packaging of the fruits, particularly kinnow.
They anticipate this in continuation of a trend that was set back in FY14. In that year, the average fob price of kinnow had risen to $450 per tonne, up from about $425 in FY13. Officially recorded export price for FY15 is yet to be released.
On the production front this year, the country is expected to produce no less than 2m tonnes, up from 1.9m tonnes last year, according to estimates of officials of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research.
This year, the disease attack has been less severe and not widely spread. Besides, fruit farmers have adopted better integrated pest management control system to ward off diseases, fruit growers claim.
One aspect of exports of citrus fruits that has long been neglected is about the total mix of these fruits in which the share kinnow remains more than 90pc and that of oranges and other citrus fruits less than 10pc. TDAP officials say export earnings of citrus fruits can rise dramatically if Pakistan can produce larger exportable surplus of non-kinnow citrus fruits that often fetch double and even higher per-unit export price than kinnow.
They also say demand for our seamless kinnow has been on the rise not only in European and Gulf countries but also in Far Eastern markets like Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore. This particular variety of kinnow whose production is currently very low is also an export revenue spinner.
Exports of citrus fruits during this season can exceed last year’s earnings of $200m, if an impending ban on sales to Indonesia is averted and if traditional and newly-found markets are exploited adroitly.
Our embassy in Jakarta has warned that if those issues (mainly pertaining to the fruit quality and packaging) are not resolved, Indonesia may slap a ban on imports of citrus fruits from Pakistan from January.
Officials of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan are in touch with both Pakistani embassy there and the Indonesian authorities to avert the threat of ban.
“Last year, a couple of imprudent exporters had exported inferior quality citrus fruits to Indonesia which has led to this episode,” one of the TDAP officials confided to Dawn.
Last year, 350,000 tonnes of these fruits worth $200m were exported and this year export earning can rise even higher, exporters say. “Unlike in the past season we’re exporting citrus fruits, particularly kinnow, also to European countries,” says a Karachi-based exporter. “We’re starting shipments to Europe from December,” he said.
In the last season, most exporters could not export citrus fruits to Europe fearing rejection of shipments after the attack of canker disease on the fruits in December.
Later on, 4000 tonnes of the fruits were exported to several European countries including UK, Canada, Sweden and the Netherland.
In addition to brighter prospects in European countries, exporters are also counting on continuation of exports to Russian market where last year 100,000 tonnes of citrus fruits were exported.
This year even larger exports to Russia are possible, according to fruit exporters who exported kinnow and other citrus fruits there last year. Many of them have already got export orders for this year and some of them have even started shipments, market sources reveal.
They say that the Russian market is also being accessed by some exporters via Central Asian states where Pakistani citrus fruits have lately captured a tiny share. Some exporters have established trade links in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan from where they are tapping export potential in other Central Asian states and Russia, they say. Varieties of our red blood oranges, grape fruits and seamless kinnow have great demand there.
Exports of citrus fruits to our traditional markets in the Gulf countries are also expected to remain high this year after enforcement of ban on wooden crates for export packaging, exporters say.

peaches

More often than not, the mere mention of Swat Valley evokes a picturesque image of snow-capped mountains, stunning green meadows and azure rivers. However, this picture would be incomplete without some of the most luscious fruits on the planet which are grown in the region.

Historically, the valley is billed as one of the cradles of ancient civilisation. In a world that has changed tremendously through advancements in science and technology, farmers still use traditional methods and tools to make the most of the valley’s fertile soil.

Take your pick

Swat produces apples of 20 different kinds and 18 varieties of peaches, which are exported and appreciated across the world.

Sweet talk: Abazai’s mangoes offer heavenly treat

Ihsanullah, a peach grower and farming expert, tells The Express Tribune he can recall the varieties of peaches grown in Swat on his fingertips.

“The first kind of peach starts growing in May,” he explains. “May 25 is the date when Jaitay becomes available in the market.”

Ihsanullah adds the second kind of peach is locally named Ali Green and it hits the markets in the first week of June. Comparing the two, the farmer points out the second kind of peach, Ali Green, is preferred as it is sweeter.

Talking about the other varieties that come a little later into the season, Ihsanullah says the locally called Doyam Haray is produced in the third week of June and is also available in the market. The fourth form of peach is Soyam.

He adds the growing of Soyam and onward production mark the beginning of a difficult time in the market for peach growers.

“The farmers try to reach the market earlier with the aim of maximising sales,” he says. “Any delay can be costly and will deprive the peach growers of a healthy income.”

Ihsanullah tells The Express Tribune the fifth produce is named the Golden.  However, there is another breed within this kind of peach and it is called the China Panjam.

”Both the Golden and China Panjam simultaneously reach the market and are available by the start of July,” he adds.

The sixth kind, called Shasham, is available in the second week of July.

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”There are another three breeds within Shasham and all are different in their physical appearance, but their taste is almost identical,” he says.

Ihsanullah highlights that the seventh is called Spin Pakhay and is the most expensive, not to mention delicious, produce of the peach season. It starts production in the third week of July and is available by the last week of the same month.

“The Hashtam reaches the market in the first week of August and remains till the third week,” he adds. It marks the end of the season. However, some mountainous areas in the upper parts of Swat keep producing peaches which are available till September 15.

Ihsanullah adds the entire peach producing season is a great time for income generation. The farmer states much of their daily income is generated from the process of peach plucking and packing.

“Those plucking peaches from the trees are locally called Shokmar and their daily income is Rs500,” Ihsanullah says. “Packing is done skillfully and labourers involved in such a process earn Rs700 daily.”