60 percent mango exports affected

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

KARACHI (August 26 2010): Almost 60 percent exports of high quality mango have been badly affected by the current flood across the country causing millions of dollars losses to both exporters and growers. Though the season of cultivating white Chaunsa, the qualified kind of mango for export, was started in the country, the flood devastated a major part of the fruit.

Besides, the country has also lost over $15 million worth export of fruit/vegetables after the catastrophic floods which have damaged millions of acres land throughout the country. Talking to Business Recorder, Waheed Ahmed, Chairman of All Pakistan Fruit & Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association (PFVA), said on Tuesday that the quality of mangoes has been affected after the mango trees were flooded by around 10 to 15 feet water.

Though export of white Chaunsa is done mostly during the month of August and September, the export of this fruit has almost stopped under the current situation, he said. An immediate meeting of Ministry of Agriculture with all provincial departments is needed to discuss the destruction in agricultural which is the only 70 percent revenue generating sector, he said, and added that "as the whole infrastructure has been damaged the reconstruction process needs complete planning".

He appealed to the government and the ministry of commerce to distribute the funds of about Rs 400 million available at Export Development Fund (EDF) for different project financing among the farmers so that they could instantly start farming again. He said the continuing flood has entirely damaged vegetable crops throughout the country.

As a result, the gap between demand and supply has also widened causing price escalation. On the other hand, displaced farmers have lost their everything and they are not in a position to invest any more on farming. If assistance was not provided to the farmers they would not be in a position to arrange for seeds and fertiliser which may lead towards acute shortage of vegetable, he added.

Waheed said that last year export of fruit and vegetable showed 54 percent increase and earned substantial foreign exchange. Under the present conditions, if prudent measures are not taken, the country may suffer fruit and vegetable exports to great extent. This will also have adverse impact on the horticulture industry and will trim employment opportunities for the labour class.