The All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association have highlighted a concerning trend regarding mango production that has seen a notable decline for the third consecutive year due to the effects of climate change. This decline poses a challenge for the country’s ability to meet its export goals.
Setting a target of 100,000 metric tons for mango exports this season, the Association aims to kick off exports from May 20, focusing on markets such as China, America, Turkey, Japan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asia.
Waheed Ahmed, the patron-in-chief of the Association, expressed concern over the negative impact of climate change on mango orchards in Pakistan, leading to a notable decrease in production. He noted that last year’s export target of 125,000 metric tons fell short, with only 100,000 metric tons exported.
Annually, Pakistan produces approximately 1.8 million metric tons of mangoes, primarily concentrated in Punjab province (70%), Sindh (29%), and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (1%). However, this year’s weather conditions have severely affected production, with Punjab experiencing a 35-40% reduction and Sindh seeing less than 20%.
Estimations suggest a potential reduction of 0.6 million metric tons in total production. With an export target of 100,000 metric tons this season, Pakistan stands to earn around $90 million in foreign exchange, highlighting the economic significance of the mango industry. It’s worth noting that the mango sector, encompassing processing, packaging, and warehousing, constitutes an industry worth over Rs100 billion, providing employment opportunities to millions.
