Pakistan's Agriculture, Cotton & Textiles - News and Updates

[Omar1984]

Pakistan hikes 2010/11 sugar output estimate to 4.1 mln t ​

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is estimated to have produced 4.1 million tonnes of sugar from the 2010/11 crop, industry officials said on Wednesday, adding there was no need to import the sweetener this year, given ample stocks.

The new estimate is up nearly 400,000 tonnes from the previous projection despite initial fears that output would fall because of massive summer floods in 2010 that damaged several crops, including sugarcane.

“Sugar output from the 2010/11 crop has reached about 4.1 million tonnes,” Javed Kayani, chairman of the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) told Reuters.

“There were damages to sugarcane by the floods, but as it is a water-intensive crop, recovery ratio increased and led to the better output,” he said.

A senior official at the country’s Ministry of Industries and Production also confirmed that sugar output would exceed four million tonnes, but said the final figure was likely to be announced later this month.

Pakistan, which has the fifth largest sugarcane growing area in the world, consumes about 4.2 million tonnes of sugar a year.

Kayani said the state-run Trading Corporation of Pakistan already had stocks of about 400,000 tonnes of imported sugar and, together with the better-than-expected crop, is sufficient to meet domestic demand until the next harvest in November.

“We are pretty much secured until November and that means we don’t need to import sugar this year,” said Kayani, who expects a nearly 10 per cent increase in sugarcane planting and, therefore, another good crop in the next season.

Pakistan’s sugar season runs from October to September. Pakistan had to import about 1.2 million tonnes of sugar last year after production fell to nearly 3.1 million tonnes from the 2009/10 crop, when many farmers switched to more profitable crops.

In Pakistan, there is no import duty on white sugar. The government in September waived a 25 per cent duty on raw sugar to encourage the private sector to import the sweetener to meet feared shortages after August floods.

 

[Omar1984]

Kinnow exports target of 300,000mt achieved ​

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has achieved its kinnow export target for the year 2010-11 by exporting about 300,000 metric tonnes of the commodity. An official in the Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company told APP Wednesday Pakistan was the sixth largest citrus producing and exporting country in the world. He said citrus is grown on an area of about 199.5 thousand hectare with annual production of 2458.5 thousand metric tonnes. Kinnow season year 2010-11 was started in early November 2010. At present more than 200 pack houses were in action with production of about 8000 metric tonnes per day adding that commercial exporters were supporting kinnow industry and sharing the main business risks of common processors. He informed the exporters were paying some percentage in advance and pick the fruit at doorstep by paying all adding that kinnow season has entered in its last leg. The kinnow is being exported in all destinations and permission for kinnow import in Iran at a meager 4 percent duty was a great opportunity for Pakistani exporters, they can avail it fully by sending huge consignments to Iran through Quetta. Philippine and Kuwait is consuming good volume of kinnow, from Kuwait most of fruit is being forwarded to Iraq. He said Federal Bureau of Statistic would announce final statistics and it was expected final figures of kinnow export may cross the 300,000 metric tonnes mark. app

 

[Omar1984]

Govt to expand cotton sowing areas in Punjab, KP, Balochistan ​

LAHORE: The federal government has decided to increase cotton sowing area of Pakistan by promoting cotton crop in Mianwali and Pothohar plateau of Punjab, DI Khan, Tank Districts of KP and Sibi, Loralai, Nasirabad, Chaghi, Dera Bughti, Jaffarabad, Uthal, Lasbela, Khuzdar districts of Balochistan, Agriculture Development Commissioner Inayat Ullah Khan informed the Seed Association of Pakistan (SAP) Executive Committee here on Saturday.

The meeting presided over by SAP Chairman Shahzad Ali Malik pledged to work hand in hand with the government for achieving 15 million cotton bales target set for 2011-12 crop season.

There was a consensus among all the participants that better crop management and increase in cotton sowing area were the prerequisites for improvement in yields.

The SAP Executive Committee also suggested that varieties and quantity of seed for the different areas keeping in view their ecological condition needed to be worked out and communicated to plan timely availability/placement of seed in proposed areas.

The SAP Executive Committee members while appreciating the government efforts assured their full support and cooperation in supply of seed.

Agriculture Development Commissioner Inayat Ullah Khan also explained some teething problems in introducing any crop in new areas in general but provision of subsidised seed in particular for launching the project, he said.

The Director General, Federal Seed Certification & Registration Department (DG, FSC&RD) Mohammad Nasir Hussain Shah, expressed the pivotal role of seed in better production of any crop. He urged the seed companies to ensure supply of better seed of cotton with permissible germination standards. In case of any relaxation in germination, the seed bags must be clearly marked with percent sign i.e. % of germination and the quantity of seed per acre to facilitate the farmer in selection and sowing correct quantity of seed to achieve optimum plant population.

It is morally and ethically responsibility of the seed companies to honor the commitments of their product. Chairman SAP and the members assured the DG FSC&RD of their responsibilities and agreed to enforce the display on the seed bags.

Director General Federal Seed Certification & Registration Department Mohammad Nasir Hussain Shah and Vice Chairman SAP Dr Qaiser Rashid were also present in the meeting.

 

[Omar1984]

Balochistan farmers find lucrative markets
​

Quetta—Balochistan farmers were being assisted to find new profitable markets and increase the quantity and quality of their crop and livestock production. Balochistan has tremendous potential for development of Agriculture and livestock sectors, serious efforts are needed to bringing about a shift from traditional to a technology-based farming system.

This was stated by the speakers during a day-long seminar held under the aegis of the USAID supported project Assistance to Agriculture in the Balochistan Border Areas (ABBA) at a local hotel here.

Mr. Zafarullah Baloch Secretary Livestock, Dr. Iqbal Kehtran DG Livestock and Mr. Abdul Salam Baloch former secretary Agriculture were prominent among those who participated in the seminar to review the improvement in the socio-economic lives of the Balochistan farmers

Addressing at a seminar Mr. David Doolan the International Project Manager of the project USABBA, noted that the growers in the province were being trained on the lines as how they can increase the quantity and quality of their crop production, such as apples, grapes, onions, wool, and livestock.

They were being facilitated to finding more profitable markets for the bolster of their agri-products, he maintained. Ms. Saman Bakhtawar Jaffar the Marketing Officer had discussed the over all value chain analysis done by the project to improve the livelihood of the people.

Stressing the need for taking concerted steps, she said government should provide relief to the local growers in Balochistan by providing them essential infrastructure facilities like farm to market road, cold-storage houses, and uninterrupted power supply so that the growers could augment their production Mr. Ahmed J Essa the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of ABBA, discussed the livestock sector and how it plays an important role in the socio-economic life of the people of Balochistan

Mr. Saeed Nasir Team Leader of the Killa Saifullah spoke about Apples, that Balochistan is the largest producer in Pakistan, and it is one of the biggest source of income of the local people on annul basis. Mr. Nafay discussed that since Balochistan has a diverse climate, and produces various fruit crops, Grapes is one of the important products of Balochistan and with the help of USAID today Grapes are marketed all around Pakistan. Ms. Asma Gulistan the Team Leader of district Quetta, mentioned that since 50% of the sheep are found in Balochistan, USAID has taken splendid steps to promote the wool from Balochistan, adding it has also has given exposure visits to help enhance the skills of the farmers.—APP

 

[Omar1984]

Pakistan expects over 24mt bumper wheat crop​

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan expects over 24 million tonnes bumper wheat crop in current season, said Food and Agriculture Ministry’s Wheat Development Commissioner. The wheat crop harvesting is in full swing in Sindh province and over 115000 tonnes wheat has been procured. Harvesting also started in Punjab and procurement will start from April 20 all across wheat growing areas of the province, said Dr Shakeel Ahmad Friday. He said all arrangements were finalised to procure wheat on official fixed rates of Rs 950 per 40 kilograms to facilitate growers for better return of their produce. ppi

 

[Omar1984]

Textile exports to cross $11bn mark: Baig​

KARACHI: Federal Adviser on Textile Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig has inaugurated the 8th Textile Asia International Garment and Machinery Exhibition 2011 on Saturday at Karachi Expo Centre. Speaking on the occasion, he said that textile exports will cross $11 billion mark as the country’s total exports are set touch $22 billion during the current fiscal year 2010-11. TDAP Chief Executive Tariq Iqbal Puri was also present on the occasion. He said that floods have also brought fertile land with them and the country is going to reap 14-15 billion bales this year. app

 

[Omar1984]

New areas to be explored for cotton crop​

ISLAMABAD: The Committee on Enhancement of Cotton Production on Tuesday decided to explore new areas for growing cotton and achieving 15 million bales production during 2011-12. In this regard, the meeting also decided that about two hundred drills and ridgers (cotton sowing technologies) would be provided to Balochistan and KPK provinces to encourage cotton sowing in the newly explored areas. “Market access to such new areas will be provided so that the farmers could not face any difficulty in the far flung areas,” Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture Mir Israrullah Zehri said. Mir Israrullah Zehri, Makhdom Shahabuddin, Nazar M Gondal, Rana Farooq Saeed Khan and others attended the meeting. “We have a vast virgin area in Balochistan that could be brought under cotton crop so as to increase cotton crop and meet country’s domestic requirement.” The agriculture minister said potential areas for cotton cultivation identified in Balochistan, KPK & Potohar region include Lasbella, Khuzdar, Command Area of Mirani Dam, Sibi, Loralai, Dadar D.I Khan, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Karak, Noshehra, Swabi, Chakwal, Attock, Jehlum, and others. Zehri said 33% certified and approved varieties of cottonseed would be available and percentage of germination, per acre seed quantity and other important instructions must be written on seed bags. Pesticide for seed treatment before sowing shall be provided free of cost by Seed Companies. He said that “Grow More Cotton” cell has been established in the ministry and campaigns through media and provincial agriculture extension departments would be launched. The minister informed the meeting that trainers from Balochistan and KPK were given two weeks training at Multan to educate the farmers of their respective provinces. He said that 24/7 hotline for providing counseling to farmers would be established at Multan and Sakrund. Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) has performed the task of importing germ plasma from US and other countries. staff report

 

[Omar1984]

Gilani appreciates China for setting up agro research centres​

ISLAMABAD, Apr 22 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Friday thanked China for its plan to set up agricultural research and demonstration centres in Pakistan.Talking to the Ambassador of China Liu Jian here at the PM House, he asked the Chinese Ambassador to setup these Centres at Multan for B.T. cotton, in Faisalabad for textiles, in Gujranwala for rice and in major wheat growing areas of Pakistan for the wheat.Gilani also discussed his forthcoming visit to China in the second half of May with the Chinese ambassador.

The Chinese ambassador apprised the Prime Minister that every effort would be made by the government of China in consultation with the government of Pakistan to make the visit substantive and result oriented.

Prime Minister Gilani directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coordinate and hold in-depth meetings with all relevant departments to focus on energy, power generation, infrastructure, communications, reconstruction of the flood affected areas and agricultural sectors cooperation, during the visit.

The Prime Minister directed the relevant Ministries and departments to put up the current status of implementation of all the decisions taken during the Chinese Premier’s visit to Pakistan last year.

Gilani is likely to take along with him a comprehensive agenda of talks with the Chinese President, Premier, other leaders including the corporate sector.

Special Secretary Foreign Affairs and other senior officers were also present during the meeting.

 

[ghazi52]

Pakistan achieves mango export target this season

By Tanveer Sher

KARACHI: While mango export season has come to an end, Pakistani fruit exporters can take the pride of accomplishing set goals of more than 150,000 metric tonnes during the current year, boosting their morale and spirits for the coming years to set higher targets.
It may be recalled here that mango export season had taken off from May and it continued until August during which large quantity of the fruit was also dispatched to new markets for sampling and seeking new orders for next season.
The expected mango yield during the current season had been anticipated to be in the range of 1.6 to 1.8 million tonnes and out of this huge quantity, the target of 150,000 tonnes appeared inadequate as indicated by most of the exporters, who blamed on lack of marketing in foreign markets and not enough support at the government level to help raise export target to a substantially higher level.
Currently the major exporting variety of mango includes Sindhri and Chaunsa from Sindh and a different variety of Chaunsa from Punjab, which has a huge fan following in international markets.
Major mango importing countries include Afghanistan, Iran and all Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, UAE besides European countries Sweden, Denmark, U.K. France and some of the Far Eastern countries, including Singapore and Malaysia. All Pakistan Vegetable and Fruit Exporting Association Chairman Abdul Wahid informed the scribe that despite export of large quantity of illegal export of mango to Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asian States through open truck, achievement of the current goal deserves appreciation. He said recent approval of installation of Vapour Treatment Plant in Pakistan following approval by the Export Development Fund (EDF) would go a long way in enhancing demand of Pakistani fruit specially mango.
The plant would not only eliminate the menace of fruit fly from Sindhri and Chaunsa but also improve quality of the fruit, raising its demand in new markets across the globe.
Besides Japan, which has agreed to import Pakistani mango, had also made it mandatory for processing the fruit through VHT before the commencement of export process.
Wahid said Japan is regarded as lucrative and rewarding market for exporters and they are anticipating massive orders from next year onwards after the installation of VHT equipment in Pakistan.
Earlier Pakistani mangoes, famous world over for their sweetness and taste, were unable to penetrate Japanese market owing to strict International standard followed globally especially sanitary practices to prolong shelf life of the fruit.
Daily Times

 

[Omar1984]

Pakistan textile sector pin high hopes on Tajikistan​

Islamabad: Central Chairman All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) Mohsin Aziz has said that Tajikistan has the capacity to help us overcome many problems faced by the Pakistani spinning, weaving and knitting industries.

Pakistan and Tajikistan enjoy excellent relations in areas of trade, economy, defence, education, investment, energy and human resource development and our visit will help cement times and augment trade, he said.

Mohsin Aziz said this while talking to Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President of the Pakistan Economy Watch before leaving for Dushanbe on the special invitation of President of Tajikistan.

The delegation include Ambassador of Tajikistan Dr. Zubaydullo N. Zubaydov, former president APTMA Gohar Ejaz, Akbar Seth, Central Vice Chairman, Ahsan Bashir, Chairman Punjab Region, Yasin Siddike, Chairman Sindh-Balochistan Region and Suhail Tabba, Chairman APTMA Committee of WTO and Market Access.

Mohsin Aziz said that during the visit we will seek enhanced cooperation in the fields of textiles, cement, and energy.

He said that Tajikistan, landlocked by Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and China, exports over 90 thousand tonnes of cotton to 18 countries including Russia, Iran, Turkey and Latvia, and desires to become its major trading partner.

He said that Central Asia South Asia (CASA) 1000 power project which is supported by the US administration and the World Bank can be of great help to energy starved Pakistan.

The APTMA Chairman said that Tajikistan exports cotton, aluminum, fresh and dry fruits to Pakistan but we are eager to get energy without which economy will cripple.

The central Asian state has traditionally been a major importer of grain, food products and petrochemicals from Kazakhstan, Russia, Poland, Ukraine and Georgia.

Mohsin Aziz said there is a direct flight between Islamabad and Dushanbe while increasing number of flights will help boost trade and tourism.

At the occasion, Dr. Murtaza Mughal said that business community of the two countries should have more opportunities to directly interact with each other without involving any third party.

This will help boost bilateral trade; he said adding that energy shortages have a very significant impact on textile industry while floods have raised questions about availability of cotton.

Tajikistan can help Pakistan in the said issues in an effective manner, said Dr. Mughal

Government cannot afford to ignore the issues of a sector which is largest foreign exchange earner and largest urban employment provider, he said.

The Ambassador said that he is striving hard to boost times between brotherly countries. He said that Pakistani businessmen can have visa for his country as early as possible.

I feel like at home in Pakistan and I respect their social values, said Zubaydov.

 

[Omar1984]

Strengthening ties: Textile industry to upgrade Tajikistan’s mills​

LAHORE: The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Orien Bank of Tajikistan for cooperation in exploring prospects of bilateral trade and investment including cotton import from Tajikistan and extension of expertise for upgrading Tajikistan’s textile industry.

Aptma Chairman Mohsin Aziz announced this on his return on Thursday from a visit to Tajikistan where he had taken a six-member delegation.

Talking to the media, Aziz said the association, in the initial phase, would import 2,000 tons of cotton from Tajikistan, which would be increased in future.

Aziz pointed out that Pakistan’s textile millers would help Tajikistan’s textile industry in improving competitiveness and expansion.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 14th, 2011.

 

[Omar1984]

Gas load shedding affects 50% of textile sector: APTMA​

LAHORE: All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has expressed concerns over unprecedented gas supply suspension for textile industry in Punjab.

The textile industry was denied gas for 77 days in 2008-09, followed by 100 days in 2009-10 and 160 days in 2010-11.

APTMA Chairman Punjab Ahsan Bashir said this strident increase in number of days for non-availability of gas was limiting capacity utilisation, viability and growth of textile industry in Punjab. He said the gas supply cut for 160 days in 2010-11 has affected 50 percent capacity of textile industry in Punjab. The industry has no alternate option to run its operation. Electricity shortage recently surged to 50 percent. To run industry on alternate fuel including diesel and furnace oil is not a viable proposition, he added.

He said the textile industry was making a direct contribution of 55 percent to the country’s exports, providing jobs to 15 million workforces and a backward linkage to the agriculture sector of the country. He said priority to the textile industry on gas availability is prerequisite to smooth functioning during forthcoming winter. The government should divert all new-found gas fields including Kunar, Peshaki and Tando Allahyar to the SNGPL network, facing acute gas shortage in the Punjab, he stressed.

He said the government has already proved its pro-industry approach by facilitating it in the past and time has come to reiterate the gesture in coming winter.

An expeditious import of 500 mmcfd LNG is also a just demand of APTMA, as it would considerably overcome gas shortage for textile industry and facilitate other economic usages. He expressed fear any further delay in principle decision of giving priority to textile industry for gas supply in winter would avoid massive lay off ahead. It becomes important when one million workforces is entering the job market every year, and it is pertinent all textile value chain will also be benefited if textile industry is operational during winter, he maintained. staff report

 

[Omar1984]

Pakistan most competitive in textile: Dr Baig​

KARACHI: Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Federal Adviser on Textile, chaired a multilateral conference here at a local hotel, led by Pakistan-Japan Business Forum along with other business forums of various countries.

Dr Baig explained foreign delegates about Pakistan’s position in the world textile market as the most competitive supplier of quality products to the world renowned brands. The foreign buyers expressed their confidence in Pakistani products and said that the western media had portrayed a wrong perception of Pakistan. They called Karachi a vibrant city, which means business, says a press release on Thursday.

There were 18 foreign delegates from textile sectors of US, Poland, Malaysia, Argentina, France, etc. representing leading textile sourcing houses of the world. Dr Baig offered foreign businessmen to invest in textile city, a project of value added textile sector in Karachi. The foreign buyers acknowledged that Pakistan is still the most competitive country to buy textile products, mainly home textile, denim fabric, woven and knitted garments and others. Dr Baig invited the buyers to visit textile factories in Karachi to see the quality and high technology of industries. He congratulated organisers of the multilateral conference for successfully organising the conference coinciding with the 6th Expo Pakistan, which will also create a soft image of the country.

 

[Omar1984]

Comparative advantage: American buyers still prefer Pakistani apparel​

KARACHI: Despite the chronic energy crisis, the gas shortages, the bombings, the terrorism and the violence, Pakistani apparel is one of the lowest cost options for US-based buyers, cheaper even than Bangladesh, India and China, according to American buyers of textiles.

The cost differentials can be as high as 25%, substantial in an industry that generally operates on low margins for exporters. For example, a hooded sweatshirt, which is made at the rate of $12 a piece in China, is manufactured in Pakistan for $9 to $10. Similarly, a pair of jeans, whose manufacturing cost is $10 in China, costs $8 to $8.50 in Pakistan.

Edward Hertzman, director of business development at Synergies Worldwide, a global sourcing company, explains why that is. “The cost of labour in Pakistan is less than China, India and Vietnam,” said Hertzman, whose company placed $75 million worth of orders with Pakistani textile companies last year.

“As opposed to Bangladesh, Pakistan has its own supply of cotton and fabric, and has more small and medium-size factories. So it is able to accommodate smaller volumes and shorter lead times, which suites the American market,” Hertzman said.

Synergies Worldwide represents about 35 European and American brands and deals with over 80 factories in Pakistan besides operations in India, China and Bangladesh.

Top American brands currently outsourcing their apparel manufacturing to Pakistan include American Eagle, Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, Nike, Quicksilver, Kohl’s, Sears, Wal-Mart, Gap, Old Navy and Macy’s.

“The perception is that Pakistan is a difficult and dangerous place to work. That’s not true. I travel to Pakistan at least four times a year. I think Pakistan is a serious place to do serious business,” Hertzman said.

The tariff exemptions that Bangladesh receives from the European Union, under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), seems to actually count against Bangladeshi manufacturers among American buyers, since it means that their production capacity was used mainly by large European retailers, leaving little spare capacity for any American firms that want to buy from there.

Also, the lack of domestic cotton production capacity makes it difficult to operate a “just in time” logistics system with Bangladesh, a system that US retailers are used to.

“Americans need to understand that Bangladesh works best when running large, continuous programmes. Also, the buyer must plan for longer lead times for Bangladesh, as the fabric is imported and capacity is booked months in advance,” said Hertzman.

Meanwhile, the cost of apparel manufacturing has increased in China in the recent past. The government raised the minimum wage up to 21% in Jan 2011. With the renminbi getting stronger in the international market, Chinese products are becoming increasingly expensive for foreign buyers.

On the contrary, the Pakistani rupee has been depreciating, making the country a choice outsourcing destination.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Khurram Khalid, who works for an international buying house in Karachi, said China was gradually moving away from textiles. “Chinese are smart people. They know the real money is in hi-tech. Their economy is growing, so they’re moving towards production of specialised goods.”

Another advantage that Pakistan has over its competitors, especially Bangladesh, is good quality, home-grown cotton. Pakistan produces short-staple cotton, which is good for denim, flannels, fleece, knits, polo shirts and t-shirts.

Pakistan also produces fashion goods and niche products better than Bangladesh. “Pakistan has excellent washing, dyeing and finishing techniques, enabling it to create fashion-forward, value-added garments,” Hertzman said.

The readymade garment industry in Pakistan enjoys facilities like duty-free import of machinery and income tax exemption. The Textile Institute of Pakistan also introduced first-of-its-kind, four-year BBA (Honours) in apparel manufacturing and merchandising a few years ago to meet the demand of the apparel industry.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 24th, 2011

 

[Omar1984]

Mango exports to the US on the decline; Pakistani exporters the biggest beneficiaries

Tuesday, January 03, 2012 08:00 IST
Akshay Kalbag, Mumbai

India's loss is Pakistan's gain, as far as the king of fruits is concerned. Mango exports from India to the United States, which started in 2007 (in exchange for Harley-Davidson bikes), are now on the decline, while Pakistan has registered an increase in mango exports in the past few years.

According to data available with the Agricultural and Processed Food Product Export Development Authority (APEDA), the exports of mangoes from India to the US declined from 202.64 tonnes in 2008-09 to 175.40 tonnes in 2009-10, a decline of 13.4 per cent.

It declined even more sharply the following year (there was a decline of 22.1 per cent or 136.70 tonnes). The United States is a large market and as far as mangoes are concerned, it is yet to be tapped fully.

Vinod Kaul, deputy general manager, APEDA said, "The main cause for this decline is the logistic problem. There is only one irradiation facility (Krushak at Lasalgaon, Nashik), which has the approval of the USDA -APHIS (…..)."

"And since the quality of the fruit is paramount, due to the unseasonal climatic variations at the peak of export time, the quality of the fruit available declined last year. This resulted in the shortage of exports," he added.

At the time of the launch, the body had expected mango exports to the US to touch between 900 and 1, 000 tonnes per annum in the next three to five years, because at that point, the demand was high, due to the presence of a large Indian diaspora there.

But Indian mangoes have failed to meet APEDA'S expectations in the US market. In fact, instead of growing, the exports have been declining and India seems to have lost to Pakistan, which is in a more favourable position because of a stronger currency (now) and the lower freight charges.

The freight charges in India are high owing to the additional surcharge and other taxes. These add to the overall cost of the mangoes. Pakistani mangoes, on the other hand, cost 25 to 30 per cent less than Indian varieties.

Another major hurdle is that mangoes perish quickly. By the time the mangoes grown in Uttar Pradesh reach Nashik for irradiation and to become free from pests, as stipulated by the US, the quality deteriorates.

When asked how the Indian mango exporters are coping with the weakening rupee vis-a-vis the dollar, Kaul said, "The season is a few months away, so it would be premature to comment on it now."

For the record, India exported about 59, 220. 78 tonnes of mangoes worth RAS 162 crore in 2010-11. The main export destinations were the UAE (25, 725 tonnes), Bangladesh (23, 049.6 tonnes), the UK (2, 723.5 tonnes), Nepal (1, 991.3 tonnes) and Saudi Arabia (1, 592.2 tonnes).

India varieties of mangoes such as Dasheri, Langra and Chausa, which are grown in Lucknow, Saharanpur and Barabanki (all in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh), are sought after in the West.


Food & Beverage News: Top News - Mango exports to the US on the decline; Pakistani exporters the biggest beneficiaries