Pakistan likely to surpass Mango export targets

 LONDON, March- Pakistan is likely to surpass its mango export targets due to the favourable weather for the past few months. Sources in the Commercial wing of Pakistan High Commission told APP that because of ideal weather conditions, the growers are expecting a good harvest of mangoes, known as the king of fruits. The picking is expected to commence this May. Pakistan is one of the largest exporters and producers of mangoes in the world with Punjab and Sindh being the major growing areas.Authorities have set an export target of 140,000 tonnes of mangoes while Pakistani exporters are expecting that it will be more than 165,000 tonnes this season.Sources said mango growers from Pakistan have been receiving support from Agribusiness Support Fund (ASF) and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to expand the mango industry. An ongoing joint project between USAID and Pakistan provides training to mango growers to improve productivity and competitiveness.USAID’s mango program extends assistance by helping mango growers to achieve Global G.A.P. certification. So far 21 farms have attained this  certification.

Furthermore, the sources said Pakistan mangoes will be introduced in Russia and China with the support of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association this summer.There will be two mango exhibitions, one in China which will take place on the second week of June and in Russia on the last week of the same month. In relation to this, road shows will be held as part of promoting Pakistani mangoes.Last summer, a similar exhibition was organised at London’s world famous Harrod’s  store which received a very positive response.