Pakistan: Shortage of cold storage system hampers
fruit exports
Owing to
non-availability of cold storage facilities more
than 30 percent of fruits, destined for exporting
perish before reaching their destination. “Several
efforts have been made by fruit exporters to draw
attention of the government towards this growing
problem, but they have failed,” said Chairman of
Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association,
Abdul Wahid while talking to Daily Times.
He said the non-responsive attitude of the concerned
government departments is adding to the miseries of
exporters and growers alike. Citing instances in
this regard, he said, oranges and mangoes are
considered as traditionally most demanding fruits in
the foreign markets. “However, non-availability of
cool chain system at fruits farms, Karachi Port and
airports and required cooling temperature (which is
3 to 4 degree centigrade) for maintaining freshness
of the exportable fruits, has served as deterrence
factor as far as their export demand and shelf life
is concerned,” he added.
The chairman of the fruit exporters association said
with the passage of time, ratio of fruit perishing
is growing mainly on account of global environmental
changes. He claimed the government generates
substantial revenue annually from fruit export by
means of levying of 0.75 percent withholding tax,
but instead of utilising the fund for establishment
of cold storage facilities, it is diverted to other
sectors.
Replying to a question, he attributed dwindling
export quantity of major fruits to their poor
quality, which does not conform to the international
standards.
“Lack of cold storage facilities results in
evaporation of juices from the fruit and
deterioration of their skin rendering them
undesirable for the buyers,” he added.
A 10- kg carton of citrus fruits of Australia and
Morocco fetches $20 in the international market
compared to $5 to $7 for the same weight of
Pakistani fruit.
Similarly, growers are also not getting due price of
their produce, which is regarded as major compelling
factor towards decline in the local yield. A Russian
delegation visited Pakistan to assess the quality of
fruit processing units. They issued quality
certificates only to 14 processing units out of
total 125, putting the future of rest of them at
stake. They would be allowed to export their fruits
only if they develop proper cold storage system and
conform their processing units in line with the
requirement of international standards.
Source: dailytimes.com.pk
Publication date: 2/4/2008
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