May 20 , 2015
News
‘Pak fruit sector has high export potential’
*Head of Chinese delegation says both Pak, China can benefit through collaborating in fruit processingLAHORE: Head of the four-member Chinese delegation Huang Xin Jian has said that Pakistan and China can collaborate to initiate fruit quality enhancement centres, processing units, dehydration plants and cold storage chains to process Pakistani fruits in line with the international standards for export to world markets.
The Chinese delegation from Yantai Jiarong Trading Co Ltd visited Pakistan on special invitation of Pak-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) President Shah Faisal Afridi.
Huang said that the fruit sector of Pakistan has an enormous export potential that can be beneficial for both countries. In this regard, he suggested forming a preliminary research team in order to put ideas into action. He further said that his delegation came to Pakistan with a focus to import fresh, processed and dry fruits from Pakistan which would be re-exported to rest of the world after value addition.
Earlier, the PCJCCI president, in a welcome note, said that Pakistan produces a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, with total annual production estimated at 9 million metric tonnes. This includes citrus 989,000 metric tonnes, mangoes 438,000 metric tonnes, apples 525,000 metric tonnes, guavas 126,000 metric tonnes, apricots and other fruits 1.914 million metric tonnes which include bananas, grapes, pomegranates, pears and dates, he said.
He pointed out that unfortunately, due to lack of advanced processing and packaging techniques, nearly 50 percent of total fruit production is lost during harvesting, transportation, preservation and storage. He said that there is a dire need to focus on this industry and to upgrade it - by boosting both the fresh fruit packaging, grading and processing for value addition - and to approach markets for export of fresh fruits and value-added products.
Faisal mentioned that the major operational activities in this process that need attention include sorting, washing, waxing, drying, grading and packing. He said that it would be a great initiative if China establishes fruit processing and value addition plants in Pakistan as it would be beneficial for both the countries.
While highlighting the prospects of joint ventures in mango cultivation, he said that with a total area of 167.5 thousand hectares under mango cultivation Multan was producing 1,732 thousand tonnes mangoes making it the second major fruit crop of Pakistan after citrus. The city is also ranked fourth in the world for its mango production.
The PCJCCI president facilitated the delegation by arranging one-to-one meetings with experienced investors, businessmen and dignitaries related to the fruit industry. During its stay, the delegation also visited various organisations from the public and private sector, including PBIT, the National Productivity Organisation and Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to gather information about the issues concerning the fruit industry.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk