MULTAN: In this March 17, 2018 photo, a farmer sprays pesticides on mango trees.—APP

KARACHI: Acute water shortage — which may cause 35 per cent decline in mango production this year — as well as global warming and small size of the fruit are major concerns for exporters.

Due to acute shortage of water, mango orchards in Sindh — particularly in Hyderabad, Tando Allah Yar, Mirpurkhas districts — would be severely affected. The same goes for Punjab where overall mango production is anticipated to be less by 30-50pc in Muzaffargarh, Multan, Rahim Yar Khan and Shujabad districts.

Along with low production, the smaller size of Pakistani mangoes is also a cause of great concern for exporters, Patron-in-chief All Pakistan Fruits and Vegetables Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association (PFVA), Waheed Ahmed said.

Due to increased demand and short supply this year, the wholesale price of mango is expected to increase from Rs2,400 to Rs3,000 per 40 kg.

Export target fixed at 100,000 tonnes

Due to relatively longer winter season in different mango growing areas, production has been badly hit, he said. He added that mangoes are also faced with attacks by new diseases which would lead to low production.

Exporters have set the mango export target at 100,000 tonnes for the current year. Foreign shipments would start from May 20, 2018.

Mr Waheed said utilisation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor route for the first time for mango exports to China and devaluation of rupee against the dollar would provide some benefit.

“Queries are pouring in from Chinese buyers and hopefully 500-1,000 tonnes may be shipped to China this year. This can emerge as a big market for Pakistani mango once it’s fully developed where 20,000 tonnes mango could be conveniently exported. 150 tonnes of mango will also be exported to Japan,” he added.

Mango exports, he said, would fetch $95-100 million this season by meeting export target of 100,000 tonnes.

He recalled that there was 50pc reduction in mango production last year due to which export target was curtailed to 81,000 tonnes.

He said people of Gulf countries, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arab and European countries would enjoy Pakistani mangoes this year at a time when Ramazan is also in full swing.

Mango promotions in China, Maldives, and European countries would be held during this year to further enhance of export of mango, he said.

Iran is also an important buyer, however due to unprecedented devaluation of Iranian currency, the exporters are not expecting to get good return value of their export, he said.

The PFVA has been intensely demanding for many years to initiate research and development activities for effectively handing menace of the global warming on the horticulture sector but it’s unfortunate that so far no serious attempt has been made by the government.

“Shifting of responsibilities to the provinces for betterment of agriculture sector after enforcement of 18th Amendment could not yield desired results due to lack of coordination among the provinces,” he said.

Published in Dawn, May 18th, 2018