Saudi firm keen to purchase mango pulp from Multan

[Saifullah Sani]

A Saudi foodstuff company 'Al-Fakhoor Trading Est' is interested in purchasing the mango pulp from Multan's Agro Food Pulp (AFP) plant, which has been completed with an estimated cost of Rs 321.889 million. The project was established as a joint venture by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Smeda) and Punjab Small Industries Corporation (PSIC) to help mango growers achieve value-added returns of their produce.

Operation Director of Al-Fakhoor trading Muhammad Naeem met President of Multan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) Khwaja Muhammad Usman and visited the AFP plant, mango orchards etc. He said Saudi Arabia is a big market for the mangoes, Kinnow and other fresh fruits of Pakistan but now we have planned to purchase the pulp of peach, mango and other fruits.

He said Pakistan was producing pulp of different fruits of international standards but it was not being exported because transportation facility was not available in remote area of Pakistan. President of MCCI Khwaja Usman briefed him that AFP plant can not only make mango pulp, but also make guava pulp and apple puree, apart from tomato puree.

He said Pakistan could earn over $400 million through fruits and vegetable exports and value added fruit pulp to Saudi Arabia and Central Asian markets. He said traders of two countries could work for exploring trade opportunities in the region especially horticultural products, which could ultimately benefit millions of people across farms and factories.

"Aiming at increasing its exports of mango fruit, we have geared efforts to adopting international standards, including hot-water technology and stringent quality control measures during several stages of the production, processing, packing and export of this delicious fruit, which is popularly called 'king of fruits'," he said. He said Pakistan has started hot-water treatment this year and Quarantine Department would inspect and satisfy itself about the application of hot-water treatment to mangoes.

This step is being taken to forestall the possibility of any ban on export of mango fruit to the EU countries. Recently, the EU has put a ban on five variants of the fruit from India after detecting pest in the Indian mangoes, he added. Usman said that hot-water technology and processing by mechanical plants has increased the shelf life of the mango fruit up to 40 days by making the pulp of the fruit free from nine bacteria elements. Increase in shelf life of the fruit, it is believed, would help in increasing the export of Pakistani mangoes, earning more foreign exchange for the country and becoming instrumental in the expansion of its agro-based sector.

Among over 150 varieties of mango fruits produced in Pakistan, the choicest varieties are: Samar Bahisht (Paradise's fruit), Fajree, Chaunsa, Super Langra, Shan-e-Khuda (God's magnificence), Anwar Ratol, Lahoti, Ratool, Sindhri, Alfanso, Dusehri, Ruosi Dulhan (Russian bride), Lab-e-Mashooq (darling's lips), Lab-e-Habshi (Negroe's lips), Shaheed-e-Zam Zam and Tota Pari. Some other varieties include: Kala Pahar (Black Mountain), Gulab-e-Khas (special rose), Saleh Bhai, Al-Khausa, Neelum, Baingan Phelli, Seroli and Batasha. Amongst these, Chaunsa and Sindhri have great potential for hitting the US and EU supermarkets, he said.

Saudi firm keen to purchase mango pulp from Multan | Business Recorder

 

[Black Eagle 90]

A Saudi foodstuff company 'Al-Fakhoor Trading Est' is interested in purchasing the mango pulp from Multan's Agro Food Pulp (AFP) plant, which has been completed with an estimated cost of Rs 321.889 million. The project was established as a joint venture by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Smeda) and Punjab Small Industries Corporation (PSIC) to help mango growers achieve value-added returns of their produce.

Operation Director of Al-Fakhoor trading Muhammad Naeem met President of Multan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) Khwaja Muhammad Usman and visited the AFP plant, mango orchards etc. He said Saudi Arabia is a big market for the mangoes, Kinnow and other fresh fruits of Pakistan but now we have planned to purchase the pulp of peach, mango and other fruits.

He said Pakistan was producing pulp of different fruits of international standards but it was not being exported because transportation facility was not available in remote area of Pakistan. President of MCCI Khwaja Usman briefed him that AFP plant can not only make mango pulp, but also make guava pulp and apple puree, apart from tomato puree.

He said Pakistan could earn over $400 million through fruits and vegetable exports and value added fruit pulp to Saudi Arabia and Central Asian markets. He said traders of two countries could work for exploring trade opportunities in the region especially horticultural products, which could ultimately benefit millions of people across farms and factories.

"Aiming at increasing its exports of mango fruit, we have geared efforts to adopting international standards, including hot-water technology and stringent quality control measures during several stages of the production, processing, packing and export of this delicious fruit, which is popularly called 'king of fruits'," he said. He said Pakistan has started hot-water treatment this year and Quarantine Department would inspect and satisfy itself about the application of hot-water treatment to mangoes.

This step is being taken to forestall the possibility of any ban on export of mango fruit to the EU countries. Recently, the EU has put a ban on five variants of the fruit from India after detecting pest in the Indian mangoes, he added. Usman said that hot-water technology and processing by mechanical plants has increased the shelf life of the mango fruit up to 40 days by making the pulp of the fruit free from nine bacteria elements. Increase in shelf life of the fruit, it is believed, would help in increasing the export of Pakistani mangoes, earning more foreign exchange for the country and becoming instrumental in the expansion of its agro-based sector.

Among over 150 varieties of mango fruits produced in Pakistan, the choicest varieties are: Samar Bahisht (Paradise's fruit), Fajree, Chaunsa, Super Langra, Shan-e-Khuda (God's magnificence), Anwar Ratol, Lahoti, Ratool, Sindhri, Alfanso, Dusehri, Ruosi Dulhan (Russian bride), Lab-e-Mashooq (darling's lips), Lab-e-Habshi (Negroe's lips), Shaheed-e-Zam Zam and Tota Pari. Some other varieties include: Kala Pahar (Black Mountain), Gulab-e-Khas (special rose), Saleh Bhai, Al-Khausa, Neelum, Baingan Phelli, Seroli and Batasha. Amongst these, Chaunsa and Sindhri have great potential for hitting the US and EU supermarkets, he said.

Saudi firm keen to purchase mango pulp from Multan | Business Recorder

They should be sold to them also bring the production level up!