Pakistan Vows To Support Malaysian Mango Importers

KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 (Bernama) -- Pakistan vows to support Malaysian importers in bringing in more mangoes into the country, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Malaysia Syed Hassan Raza said. “Everywhere I meet my Malaysian friends, they without fail mention how they relish the Pakistani mangoes and without hesitation ask when the mangoes will arrive,” he said during the Pakistan Mango Festival here, Wednesday. He said Pakistanis took pride in having the climate, fertile lands and expertise in growing mango trees which boasted one of the most delicious and aromatic mangoes in the world. “Pakistan is the world’s fifth largest producer and sixth largest exporter (of mangoes) to over 40 markets across the world,” he said. Syed Hassan (left) said that Pakistan produced close to 1.8 million metric tonnes of all varieties of mangoes, but only exported 100,000 tonnes of them, of which barely 500 tonnes made their way to Malaysia, generating a revenue of US$1.4 million. “We produce almost 150 varieties of mangoes in Pakistan and some varieties are in abundance,” he said, adding that the mango season is from May to September. Syed Hassan said the short shelf life of mangoes impeded their export capability, but in the past five years, modern techniques such as the hot water treatment had increased its storage to two to three weeks. Besides this development, the abundant by-products of mangoes presented a huge opportunity for investors, he said. “Many by-products like juices, pulp, pickles and chutneys have huge global market. Up to US$300 million value addition is possible in the mango fruit industry,” he said. (photoBERNAMA) -- BERNAMA