Export market: China opens up for Pakistani mangoes
BEIJING: Pakistan and China have signed a protocol paving the way for a significant breakthrough for market access of Pakistani mangoes in China. The document was signed between Pakistan’s Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFSR), and General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) of China.
The protocol on phyto-sanitary requirements for export of mangoes from Pakistan was signed here on Monday.
Pakistan has been aggressively expanding markets for mango exports ever since Pakistani mangoes were cleared for export last fiscal year. Pakistan hopes to capture markets as diverse as the United States, Mauritius, South Korea and Japan among others. Officials are confident that the distinct taste and superior quality of the mangoes will assure its popularity.
The protocol, signed by Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Masood Khalid on behalf of the MNFSR and the Chinese Minister Mr Zhi Shuting on behalf of AQSIQ, envisages export of fresh mango fruit from Pakistan to China in compliance with plant quarantine and phyto-sanitary regulations.
According to the protocol all packing-houses and storage facilities intending to export mango fruit to China shall meet the protocol requirements and would have the necessary systems in place.
The protocol shall remain in force for two years, and would be automatically extendable for a further period of two years.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, Masood Khalid described the inking of the protocol as a significant breakthrough for market access in China for Pakistani mangoes.
He expressed his optimism that the relevant departments would synergize their efforts for reinvigorating the processes expeditiously and in compliance with Chinese quarantine and phyto-sanitary requirements.
He pointed out that the protocol was a step forward as it incorporated Hot Water Treatment (HWT) through which mangoes produced in Pakistan could be easily treated.