The government of Pakistan has extended the commencement date of mango exports to May 25, as they wanted to consider the delay in the mango season that is caused by global warming. The Ministry of Commerce has issued a statement saying local exporters will be able to begin their export from May 25.
Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) former chief of agriculture committee Ahmad Jawad told The Express Tribune: “We used to kick-start mango export in mid-May, but due to changes in environment the mango season now begins late, therefore the government has decided to start export accordingly.”
One reason for the delay was that when the date was earlier, the exporters were tempted to resort to different artificial methods of mango ripening, which in the long term could hurt the credibility of Pakistan, he said.
The nation of Pakistan produces around 1.9 million tons of mangoes while it exports around 120,000 tons. This year, however, it expects to export more as it has gained access to the Chinese market. Pakistani mangoes are expected to enter the Chinese market on a large scale this summer. Last year, Pakistan held a mango tasting event in Shanghai and the feedback from Chinese consumers was very positive, said Jawad.