Pakistani Kinnow growers and exporters face a setback
Shares
ISLAMABAD – Pakistani Kinnow growers and exporters face a setback.
All Pakistan fruit and vegetable exporters, importers and Merchants Association (PFVA) has set current year export target of Kinnow to 325,000 tons by reducing 50,000 tons compared to the last year.
The export of Kinnow is due to commence from 1st December 2018. Production of Kinnow during this year is expected to be around 2 million metric tons, however due to limited availability of good quality of exportable Kinnow, the export target has been curtailed this year.
According to Waheed Ahmed Patron-in-Chief –PFVA & Vice President-FPCCI a record export volume of 375000 tons was attained during last year fetching foreign exchange of US$ 200 million while with the current export volume of 325000 tons, the country is expected to earn foreign exchange of US$ 180 million.
Due to high cost of production of Citrus fruit and with stiff competition with big exporters of Citrus fruits namely - Turkey , Morocco and other bib producers of Citrus Fruits in the International markets, Pakistan is confronted with real tough competition – Waheed deplored.
The devaluation of Pakistani currency has lost it’s favorable impact due to upward revision of freight charges by the shipping companies, rise in cost of packing material and substantial increase in local transportation charges while with an increase of Rs. 100, the cost of purchase of Kinnow has become Rs 800 per mound this year.
