Mangoes exporters fear 20% decline in production due to climate change

• Export of mangoes is scheduled to commence on May 20. 
• Prolonged winter, delayed summer has decreased mango production.
• This season's mangoes export target is set at 125,000 metric tonnes.

KARACHI: Owing to the adverse affects of climate change, fruit and vegetable exporters anticipate a 20% decline in this year's mango crop, The News reported Friday. 

While the agrarian economy has an annual capacity of approximately 1.8 million metric tonnes, it is feared that the production for the current season will be limited to 1.44 million metric tonnes due to the impact of climate change.

All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association (PFVA) Patron-in-Chief Waheed Ahmed said an extended winter and delayed arrival of summer had contributed to a decline in mango production, as well as a diminished ability to combat diseases in mango orchards.

“Mango crop in Pakistan is facing the adverse effect of climate change during the current mango season, leading to a likely drop of 20% in production,” Ahmed said.

Ahmed warned that due to a prolonged winter and delayed summer season, mango production was decreasing, adding that the production of the fruit was directly affected by changing weather patterns. 

He urged research institutes and provincial agriculture departments to provide resources and awareness to mango farmers to help them avert the negative impact of climate change.

This year's export target for mangoes has been set at 125,000 metric tonnes. Achieving the target would earn Pakistan approximately $100 million in foreign exchange. 

The export of mangoes is scheduled to commence on May 20. 

Major buyers of Pakistani mangoes include Gulf countries, Iran, Central Asian countries, and the United Kingdom.

Additional important markets encompass Europe, Canada, the United States, and Japan. The reduction in mango production, coupled with quality issues arising from climatic effects, has resulted in increased costs for exports.

“Factors such as higher freight expenses, packaging and transport costs, as well as the ongoing deteriorating law and order situation, political instability, and disruptions in delivery, are posing significant challenges to mango exports,” cautioned Ahmed. 

Within Pakistan, Punjab accounts for 70% of mango production, while Sindh contributes 29%, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa holds 1% share.

Regarding export methods, Ahmed revealed that 50% of Pakistani mangoes are exported by sea, 35% by land, and 15% by air.