A delay in the approval of six additional hot water treatment plants (HWTPs) has affected the enormous export potential of Pakistani mangoes to Iran, a Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association said.
They say that deliberate delays and biased approach of the DPP favouring some HWTPs was hurting mango exports.
“Iran is a promising international market for the export of Pakistani mangoes. In 2019, Pakistan earned foreign exchange of $21 million by sending 30,000 metric tonnes of mangoes to Iran. By reducing the cost of production, Pakistan could increase the volume of export by at least thirty per cent,” the letter said.
All mangoes exported to Iran have to pass through the hot water treatment process to meet phyto-sanitary requirements.