RECORDER REPORT
KARACHI: The export of mango during this year is likely to witness 70 percent drop in volume as compared to the previous season due to hurdles in exports to Iran and higher air freight cost to the European markets.
Logistic issues coupled with difficulties in having access to the international markets is posing stiff challenge to the exports of mangoes thus multiplying the problems of mango exporters day by day, All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association (PFVA) patron-in-chief Waheed Ahmed said.
The PFVA is effectively highlighting these serious issues to the high–ups by exploiting immense potential of the media which has certainly assisted in prompt resolution of various issues as well, however two major issues need quick decisions on national level which include barriers in mango export to Iran and various issues related to the national carrier for export to the Europe.
The nonstop efforts of the PFVA have ultimately drawn attention of the members of National Assembly. The special committee of the National Assembly (NA) on Agriculture in its session to be held on June 15, would discuss two serious issues related to problems being encountered in mango export to Iran along with issues related to PIA in exports of mango to the European markets.
This NA body meeting would be chaired by the NA Speaker Asad Qaiser. The significance of this session can be well gauged by the fact that the federal ministers, MNAs, Ministry of National Food Security and Research, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Aviation along with secretaries from the concerned ministries and high officials would participate while Waheed Ahmed from the PFVA would represent exporters and members of the organizations representing growers.
Waheed Ahmed said the foreign carriers hold 90 percent share of mango exports volume by air and hence the freight charges paid to these airlines in the form of huge amount of foreign currency in repatriated out Pakistan. The PFVA always strongly desired that their exporters shall have business with the national carrier, however these sincere efforts by the Association have never been fruitful because of unrealistic business strategy and sub –standard freight services.
“During the current year while the foreign carriers have enhanced their freight charges exorbitantly and our specific sector (fruits and vegetables) in particular is experiencing lot of problems in export perishable cargo (fruits and vegetables) to different countries of the World, the role of our national carrier has assumed paramount importance but unfortunately the national carrier is not only following the foot-steps of the foreign carriers in charging high cost of freight but it also seriously lacks in technical expertise required in handling export consignments of mangoes”, Waheed Ahmed said.
The PFVA had a meeting with concerned officials of the PIA on May 21, requesting for provision of better service and reasonable freight cost for operating chartered flights for mango export, however this request could not be materialized due to insufficient resources and higher freight cost by the national carrier.
These issues have been brought into attention of the federal government as well the concerned ministries but nothing has so far been done to seriously address and resolve the issue. “However it is strongly anticipated that the special committee of the National Assembly along with other ministries would find realistic and durable solution so that our weak economy which is badly affected by Covid-19, can be provided adequate support by generating foreign exchange through exports”, he said.
He said the mango exports to Iran via land route are also suffering badly due to various serious issues. The number of trucks carrying Pakistani mangoes to Iran through Taftan border are piling up with each passing day whereas the less number of trucks coming from Iran to Pakistan and with restriction on limited number of working days as well short time frame available for the each day for the mango trucks to get into Iran, the huge number of trucks carrying mango consignments worth of millions of USD to Iran are forming long queues at the Pak-Iran border and as a result of that the mangoes have started getting spoiled due to in-ordinate delay in movement to cross the Taftan border.
It’s an irony that despite high demand of Pakistani mango in Iran, Pakistan is unable to avail this golden opportunity. The concerned government authorities have been apprised of these issues and requested that number of working days as well duration of time frame for each day be extended for mango and other perishable fruits and vegetables making it easier to facilitate trade through Pak- Iran border.
Waheed Ahmed said the NA special committee would focus its attention on these issues. “We hope, these issues would be amicably resolved with close co-ordination of the concerned ministries, keeping the supreme national interest in view”, he added.
