KARACHI: At the advent of the new kinnow season, Pakistan has reduced its export target for the fruit by about 70,000 tons, citing tough competition in the international market and deteriorating quality of citrus in the country, exporters said on Friday.
“Export of kinnow from Pakistan has started and we have set a target of 300,000 metric tons that will help generate $195 million in revenue,” Waheed Ahmed, Patron-in-Chief of All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association (PFVA), told Arab News.
Pakistani firms expect kinnow production of 2.2 million tons during the current season and will export 20 percent of it.
Punjab is the center of production and supply of citrus fruits where about 85 percent of the citrus production area is covered by kinnow variety followed by Musambi (10%), Fruiter (4%), Blood Red (1%).
Last year, Pakistani exporters set a target of 350,000 tons, though they ultimately sold 370,000 tons and generated $222 million in export revenue for the country.
While they acknowledged that they had earned record revenue in 2018, exporters said their losses were also record high due to stiff competition in the Russian market.
“The target has been slashed because exporters had to suffer huge financial losses of up to $6 million in the Russian market. Exporters were shy of taking risk this time and reduced the target by 50,000 tons,” Ahmed said.
“No new markets are included as the export destination this year,” he continued. “Until the Food Security Department resolves the issue of quarantine with Thailand and other countries, new markets cannot be tapped.”
Due to the serious issues of quality, the PFVA is abiding by a self-imposed ban since 2014 on export of kinnow to Europe, a big market for the Pakistani fruit.
The European market would offer better price for Pakistani kinnow compared to other conventional international markets, if the country’s resumed exports increased by 50 percent, said the PFVA chief.
Exporters say the country has not introduced new varieties of kinnow for decades and the existing varieties had exhausted. They also point out that other countries had developed many varieties of the fruit.
“We need to develop at least three to four new varieties, including seedless citrus with enhanced shelf life. We need to enhance the cultivation area as well,” Ahmed noted.
Exporters say the existing kinnow orchards have already completed their life cycle and do not have adequate resistance to protect against the effect of climatic changes and diseases, raising serious quality issues.
“With improved quality and shelf life, the country can earn $1 billion in five years,” Ahmed said. “This can be achieved with extensive research and development (R&D). Otherwise, the existing export of citrus fruits would be badly affected.”
He also called for the resumption of exports to Iran which discontinued nine years ago, resulting in the loss of $40 million per annum.
“Pakistan can export around 80,000 to 90,000 tons of kinnow to Iran,” Ahmed said, questioning the wisdom of allowing import of tomatoes from Iran but not availing the opportunity of exporting kinnow to that country.
Pakistan targets $195 million through kinnow export this year
https://arab.news/yx2ga
Pakistan targets $195 million through kinnow export this year
- Last year, the country earned the highest export revenue of $222 million by exporting 370,000 tons of the fruit
- Lack of new varieties, declining quality, and absence of quarantine protocol posing major export challenges
Pakistan warns of strict action against hoarding petroleum products amid Iran crisis
- OGRA says reports indicate “certain elements” may attempt to hoard petroleum products for profiteering
- Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority says Pakistan’s petroleum reserves stocks adequate, no need for panic buying
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) warned on Thursday that the government will take strict action against anyone found illegally hoarding petroleum products for profiteering, amid fears of a shortage of energy supplies due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Pakistan has formed a government committee to monitor the country’s stock of petroleum products amid ongoing hostilities between the US and Israel against Iran. The committee is also reviewing supply chains, price movements and assessing broader implications for inflation, external accounts, and financial stability due to the crisis.
OGRA has repeatedly urged that Pakistan’s stock of petroleum products is adequate and urged the masses not to take part in panic buying. On Wednesday, it allowed oil marketing companies to regulate supplies to their retail outlets so as to discourage hoarding.
“It has been emphasized that strict action will be taken against any individual or entity found involved in illegal hoarding or storage of petroleum products at unauthorized locations,” OGRA spokesperson Imran Ghaznavi said in a statement.
“Particularly at places other than duly licensed oil depots and retail outlets of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).”
The OGRA spokesperson said reports indicate certain elements may attempt to hoard petroleum products for profiteering. It said that provincial chief secretaries have been requested to direct deputy commissioners to conduct inspections in their jurisdictions.
“Any premises found involved in illegal storage of petroleum products will be sealed and action will be taken in accordance with the law,” OGRA warned.
The spokesperson said OGRA was monitoring energy supplies in Pakistan, adding that inspections are being conducted at oil depots and retail outlets to ensure smooth supply of petroleum products.
“The public is advised not to pay attention to rumors and to continue normal consumption patterns, as the petroleum supply situation in the country remains stable,” it added.
Pakistan this week asked Saudi Arabia to help Islamabad secure crude oil supplies through the Red Sea port of Yanbu, as the Strait of Hormuz’s closure threatens the country’s energy supply routes.
Pakistan fears higher global energy prices could lead to consumers paying more for petrol and shelling out more for groceries and other goods, at a time when many are already feeling the impacts of inflation.
Pakistan warns of strict action against hoarding petroleum products amid Iran crisis
OGRA says reports indicate “certain elements” may attempt to hoard petroleum products for profiteering
Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority says Pakistan’s petroleum reserves stocks adequate, no need for panic buying
Arab News Pakistan
Islamabad: Pakistan’s Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) warned on Thursday that the government will take strict action against anyone found illegally hoarding petroleum products for profiteering, amid fears of a shortage of energy supplies due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Pakistan has formed a government committee to monitor the country’s stock of petroleum products amid ongoing hostilities between the US and Israel against Iran. The committee is also reviewing supply chains, price movements and assessing broader implications for inflation, external accounts, and financial stability due to the crisis.
OGRA has repeatedly urged that Pakistan’s stock of petroleum products is adequate and urged the masses not to take part in panic buying. On Wednesday, it allowed oil marketing companies to regulate supplies to their retail outlets so as to discourage hoarding.
“It has been emphasized that strict action will be taken against any individual or entity found involved in illegal hoarding or storage of petroleum products at unauthorized locations,” OGRA spokesperson Imran Ghaznavi said in a statement.
“Particularly at places other than duly licensed oil depots and retail outlets of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).”
The OGRA spokesperson said reports indicate certain elements may attempt to hoard petroleum products for profiteering. It said that provincial chief secretaries have been requested to direct deputy commissioners to conduct inspections in their jurisdictions.
“Any premises found involved in illegal storage of petroleum products will be sealed and action will be taken in accordance with the law,” OGRA warned.
The spokesperson said OGRA was monitoring energy supplies in Pakistan, adding that inspections are being conducted at oil depots and retail outlets to ensure smooth supply of petroleum products.
“The public is advised not to pay attention to rumors and to continue normal consumption patterns, as the petroleum supply situation in the country remains stable,” it added.
Pakistan this week asked Saudi Arabia to help Islamabad secure crude oil supplies through the Red Sea port of Yanbu, as the Strait of Hormuz’s closure threatens the country’s energy supply routes.
Pakistan fears higher global energy prices could lead to consumers paying more for petrol and shelling out more for groceries and other goods, at a time when many are already feeling the impacts of inflation.
