MULTAN: Pakistan is exporting mangoes to more than 40 countries in the world and can achieve further growth in the sector with the right plan.
This was said by Assistant Director Agriculture Information Naveed Asmat Kohloon on Saturday.
He said the countries that imported Pakistani mangoes included Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Island, Denmark, Holland, Switzerland, Belgium, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain Kuwait, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and Lebanon.
He said some new markets were also being considered by exporters, including Japan, South Korea, China, USA and Mauritius.
Mangoes are mainly produced in Punjab and Sindh. Punjab contributes 67% (111432 hectares) whereas Sindh adds 32% to total production, Naveed said.
He said there was a great demand for Pakistani mangoes at the international level, which could only be met by saving the existing production from the onslaught of pests such as fruit flies, whose infestation reduces yield and affects quality.
He added that the mostly growers depend upon pesticides for pest control whereas the civilized world has serious concerns on the use of pesticides.
To cope with this menace, Punjab Agricultural Department is creating awareness among the farming community, he said. He urged growers to contact agriculture department for issues related to mangoes.
