Karachi: Pakistani fruit exporters are gearing up to export up to 10,000 tons of kinnow to Iran in response to the Iranian government’s decision to allow imports from Pakistan via land routes.
Waheed Ahmed, patron in chief of Pakistan Fruit and Vegetables Exporters, Importers and Merchant Association (PFVA) said though the exporters would try their best to tap the opportunity but it would be limited since the ban has been lifted at a time when season of Kinnow in Pakistan is at closing phase.
He said the conditional facility would also limit the export to 5000 tons to 10000 tones. The facility, he said is contradictory to the fact that Pakistani markets remained flooded by Iranian products throughout the year. The fruits from Tehran are either smuggled or imported through legal means.
On the other hand, despite repeated requests, authorities in Pakistan have not taken up the issue of ban on Pakistani products in Iran, with Iranian government, depriving exporters here of over 70000 tons a season.
Waheed, , who is also Chairman of Standing Committee of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) on fruit and vegetable exports, has appealed the Iranian government to lift the ban on sea and air cargo and allowing it to other cities of the neighboring country.
He said Pakistan has so far exported 250000 tons Kinnow so far to various countries with a breakup of 190000 Tons shipped by sea and rest of 60000 Tons.
On Tuesday Iran, after a gap of almost six years, finally lifted ban on imports of Kinnow from Pakistan but restricting the imports via land route and specific to its provinces of Sistan and Balochistan.
Pakistani embassy in Tehran, through a letter, has informed Ministry of Commerce in Pakistan that Iran has lifted the ban on imports of Kinnow for only 21 days to be continued till April 20, 2017.
As per the letter the imports would be specific to two provinces and via land routes as the imports are still not allowed via air cargo and sea route.
