Mango exporters fear climate change may cause 20pc dip in production
Business
The mango production in the current season is likely to hover around 1.44 million metric tonnes
KARACHI (Web Desk) - The mango production is expected to decline 20 per cent in the country because of adverse effects of climate change, exporters fear.
Against the annual capacity of approximately 1.8 million metric tonnes, the mango production in the current season is likely to hover around 1.44 million metric tonnes.
All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association (PFVA) Patron-in-Chief Waheed Ahmed said an extended winter and delayed arrival of summer had contributed to a decline in mango production, as well as a diminished ability to combat diseases in mango orchards.
He said mango crop in Pakistan is facing the adverse effect of climate change during the current mango season, leading to a likely drop of 20pc in production, urging research institutes and provincial agriculture departments to provide resources and awareness to mango farmers to help them avert the negative impact of climate change.
The PFVA office-bearer said the current year's export target for mangoes has been set at 125,000 metric tonnes, addingthe target if achieved would earn Pakistan approximately $100 million in foreign exchange.
Ahmad warned that factors such as higher freight expenses, packaging and transport costs, as well as the ongoing deteriorating law and order situation, political instability, and disruptions in delivery, were posing significant challenges to mango exports.
Punjab accounts for 70pc of mango production, Sindh contributes 29pc, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa holds 1pc share.
The export of mangoes is scheduled to commence on May 20. Major buyers of Pakistani mangoes include Gulf countries, Iran, Central Asian countries, and the United Kingdom.
Additional important markets encompass Europe, Canada, the United States, and Japan.
