KARACHI - Pakistani mangoes shipment of 4.5 ton worth of $31,000 has been dispatched to Australia on Thursday with the expectation of gradually increasing exports volume next year.
The Australian market is one of the expensive markets which the different government authorities have been working to get access since the past as the Australian authorities approved exports of Pakistani mangoes after regular annual inspection for the last three years.
Pakistan’s mangoes will tap a big Australian market soon because Aussies are fruits lovers and will love to eat delicious mangoes from Pakistan as the first consignment will reach in few days and in the local market subsequently.
Talking exclusively to The Nation on the occasion of first shipment departure, Peter Heyward High Commission of Australia in Pakistan said that Pakistani mangoes could grab maximum share in Australian imports of 15,000 ton very soon at faster pace because of its delicious taste, different varieties and sweet aroma, said Australian High Commissioner in Pakistan on the occasion of first departure of Pakistan mangoes’ shipment to Australia. I am a great fan of Pakistani mangoes and hope that Aussies will love eating it, he said.
Despite of the fact that Australia produces mangoes itself in a particularly season, the country of 24 million people have been seeking to imports of mangoes in off-season from countries like Pakistan having a production of high class mangoes as well.   With the exports of mangoes to Australia, it is hoped that Pakistan will explore the big foreign market of Australia with its different fruits and vegetable as well through maintain all quality standards that has met recently by Pakistan’s company, Pak Horti Fresh Limited.
Heyward vowed to make all-out efforts to boost trade ties between the two countries, pledging its full support and technical assistance to ensure an easy access to the Pakistan business community to Australian trade markets.
Dr AQ Khan Durrani, CEO of Durrani Associates said that Pakistan has acquired a unique technology of keeping mangoes fresh for forty days which is a record in the world because different countries are possessing technology which maintains mangoes shelf life from eight to twelve days.
Pakistani exporters have been exporting mangoes to low priced markets of UAE and KSA but now they have opportunity to get access in lucrative markets of South Korea, Mauritius and Australia which could fetch handsome foreign exchange from the country, Dr AQ Khan Durrani, CEO of Pak Horti Fresh said.
He said that Durrani Associates have achieved a significant milestone for Pakistan in making entry of its fruits mainly mangoes to big markets and it will continue its efforts to explore new countries after getting recognition from strict authorities of developed countries.
Bashir Hussain, CEO of Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company (PHDEC) said that exporters and farmers are being provided an opportunity to enhance their business via exports of their crops mainly fruits and vegetable through Pak Hort Fresh Limited, which has become a common facility center for fresh fruits and vegetables for all stakeholders associated with agro-based products.
He said that the PHDEC has been working to enhance exports of fruits and vegetable in Pakistan through all available resource including establishment of the processing plant — a joint venture of Ministry of Commerce and Durrani Associates.
PHDEC is enlightening farmers and exports about the development of their orchids and crops in order to keep their crops fresh and exportable to different countries having high hygienic standards.