Following the opening of the China-Pakistan border on April 1, the Chinese government has allowed the import of cherries from Pakistan. However, the trade requires rigorous phytosanitary standards that, experts say, are difficult to comply with.
One exporter of the fruit has said that although the cherries produced in Pakistan, especially those from Gilgit Baltistan, are juicier than normal cherries, they are also highly perishable. Because of the Chinese protocols, these cherries cannot be exported to China under the existing phytosanitary measures. Under the protocol, local cherries need to be kept under one-degree temperature for over 18 days, and after that period, the health of the fruit will be checked for final export.
Source: profit.pakistantoday.com.pk
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