In Pakistan, the onset of the cold wave has not brought the anticipated arrival of oranges in the market, as reported by ARY News. The absence of this winter season's prominent fruit is attributed to the adverse effects of climate change on citrus production, which has not only led to a substantial decrease in exports but also affected the domestic availability of oranges. The current year has seen a predicted decline in Kinnow production by 35 percent, a situation worsened by smog, fog, and delayed cold weather. These factors have contributed to a drop in both the quality and taste of the fruit.
Experts in the field have identified the inability of the 60-year-old citrus varieties to adapt to present-day climatic challenges and diseases as a significant factor behind this production shortfall. Waheed Ahmed, the head of the Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association, highlighted the extensive damage to citrus production due to these climatic conditions. He emphasized the urgent need for introducing new, climate-resilient orange varieties to mitigate the crisis, noting that 50 percent of the citrus processing factories have already ceased operations.
The urgency for innovation in citrus cultivation is underscored by the potential threat to Pakistan's position as a leading exporter of oranges. The country achieved a record export volume of 460,000 tonnes of oranges during the 2020-21 season, marking a historic high. Without immediate action to adopt new varieties, the future of orange production and export in Pakistan faces a bleak outlook.
Source: ARY News