May 18, 2023 (MLN): Mango crop in Pakistan is facing adverse effects of climate change during the season therefore its production is likely to be reduced by 20%, warned Waheed Ahmed, Patron-in-Chief of the All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association (PFVA), on Wednesday.
The production capacity of mangoes in Pakistan is around 1.8 million tons. However, due to the effects of climate change, it is feared that production will decrease by 20%, limiting it to 1.44 million tons.
Waheed Ahmed highlighted that due to the long winter and delayed arrival of summer, mango production is decreasing, and the ability to fight diseases in mango orchards is also diminishing.
He urged research institutes and provincial agriculture departments to provide resources and awareness to mango farmers to avert the negative impacts of climate change.
The target for mango export this season has been set at 125,000 metric tons, and if achieved, Pakistan will earn a foreign exchange of $100 million.
The export of mangoes will commence on May 20, 2023. Major buyers of Pakistani mangoes include Gulf countries, Iran, Central Asian countries, and the UK.
Other important markets include Europe, Canada, the USA, and Japan. A major challenge for mango exports is the increase in export costs due to reduced production, quality issues linked to climatic effects, and rising freight, packaging, and transport costs. Additionally, ongoing deteriorating law and order issues in the country, political instability, and disruptions in delivery may also affect exports, according to Waheed Ahmed.
In Pakistan, 70% of mangoes are produced in Punjab, while Sindh accounts for 29% of total mango production, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) has a 1% share. Waheed Ahmed informed that 50% of mangoes are exported from Pakistan by sea, 35% by land, and 15% by air.
