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KARACHI: Pakistani Kinnow (a type of an orange cultivated exclusively in Pakistan and India) is known for its unique taste and aroma around the globe. Exports of the fruit have almost always yielded high results, but this year, after being picked up by two major importers, Russia and Indonesia, exporters believe they may exceed their target.
Generally, the export season for Kinnow starts in December every year. After Indonesia lifted the quota imposed on Kinnow from Pakistan, and Russia, being the biggest importer of Kinnow, importers told Arab News that they hope this year they would surpass their yearly target.
According to Dr. Amanullah Malik, the director of the Institute of Horticultural Sciences, Pakistan stands at number 13 on the list of citrus-producing countries. Pakistan produces, on average, approximately 2.4 million tons of citrus fruits of which Kinnow hold a massive 70 percent to 80 percent share, or 1.7 to 1.9 million tons. Punjab produces over 60 percent citrus, 98 percent of which comes from Sargodha, where the processing industry is located.
Waheed Ahmed, patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchant Association (PFVA) told Arab News that by February 3, 2018, Pakistan had exported 142,813 metric tons (MT) of Kinnow to 27 countries as compared to 136,719 MT exported during the same period of the last fiscal year.
He added that Pakistan’s exports to Russia have increased to 54,395 MT as compared to 50,157 MT exported during the same period last year, while exports to Indonesia jumped to 24,167 MT from 13,202 MT.
“The export season concludes in April, depending on the weather. Last year, Pakistan exported 280,000 MT of Kinnow, which was less than the export of 325,000 MT of 2015-16 and 350,000 MT exported in year 2014-15,” said Ahmed, adding that export targets for the current year have been set at 250,000 MT.
According to the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, approximately 40 percent of the produce is wasted during pre- and post-harvest stages. Mismanagement of diseases, unfavorable weather conditions, delay in harvesting, absence of proper roads and cold storage facilities, glut formation in the market and similar factors are responsible for these losses.
Dubbed as “cash crop” in Pakistan, Kinnow farming does not seem to get due attention in terms of research and development. Dr. Malik told Arab News that “from an international standard, funding in horticulture R&D, including citrus, remains very low.”
Kinnow growers, on the other hand, lament that not much has been done to increase the yield in Pakistan as compared to other exporting countries. “Our yield is declining due to which our prices are high, and our export share remains only 10-15 percent. Due to exports, the prices of Kinnow have increased to Rs1000 ($9.04) per maund,” claimed Abdul Malik Gujjar, a Kinnow grower and chairman of the standing committee of the FPCCI. “Technological advancement is desperately needed to increase production,” he stressed.
Holding the absence of seedless Kinnow production in the country responsible for the small export share in the international market, Malik said, “Our competitors have marketed seedless Kinnow much earlier while we are still hearing about its production,” he observed.
Dr. Malik, however, explains that with regards to Kinnow, the term “less seeded” rather than “seedless” should be used. “Low-seeded Kinnow strains (0-4 seeds/fruit) are becoming popular and plants are available in limited quantity at research institutes as well as the University of Agriculture in Faisalabad.” Clarifying that this may vary from year to year and even tree to tree, he stressed that further R&D was required to make it a permanent trait.
Kinnow is a cross between the “King” and the “Willow leaf” species of citrus fruit successfully discovered in 1951 at the Citrus Research Center, University of California, in the US. Both these species’ parents have Indo-China origins. The soil and climatic conditions in Pakistan give Kinnow a unique flavor, distinguishing it from other comparable cultivars (mandarins) grown around the world.
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1249076/business-economy
