32 Pakistani mango processing, HWT facilities registered with China

ISLAMABAD, Jun 12 (APP): Pakistan has expanded its China-compliant mango export infrastructure after the number of mango processing and Hot Water Treatment (HWT) facilities registered with China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC) increased from 25 to 32.

Talking to Wealth Pakistan, Pakistan Horticulture Development & Export Company (PHDEC) Manager Agri Products Khawar Nadeem said China had approved seven additional Pakistani facilities, enabling them to process, pack and export mangoes to the Chinese market.

“The newly approved units are now eligible to pack and export mangoes to China,” he said, adding that the expansion would strengthen Pakistan’s export infrastructure and improve compliance with Chinese import requirements.

As part of its export promotion strategy, PHDEC has also launched business-to-business (B2B) engagements in China to connect Pakistani exporters with potential buyers.

Khawar said the first B2B session was held on June 9, bringing together 12 to 14 prospective Chinese buyers and Pakistani exporters to facilitate trade partnerships.

“We invited potential buyers of Pakistani mangoes and facilitated direct matchmaking with exporters so that commercial exports can begin more effectively,” he said.

To address logistics challenges, PHDEC is also working with the National Logistics Corporation (NLC) on an alternative transport corridor that would move mango consignments through Sust, Tashkurgan and Kashgar before distribution to China’s interior markets.

According to Khawar, export diversification has become increasingly important following the closure of the Afghanistan border and rising transportation costs linked to regional tensions affecting traditional trade routes. “To compensate for expected export losses this season, we are actively moving towards alternative markets,” he said.

Pakistan has already secured approval for four to five additional mango varieties for export to Japan and is pursuing market access for Vietnam and Cambodia.

At the same time, PHDEC is conducting awareness campaigns for exporters on import regulations, Goods Declaration (GD) procedures and export requirements for Middle Eastern markets and Iran to ensure smooth shipments during the current season.

Exports have started from Sindh, while shipments from southern Punjab are expected shortly, followed by larger volumes from central Punjab later this month.

Khawar said adverse climatic conditions have significantly affected production, forcing PHDEC to revise crop estimates downward by 20% to 30% compared with last year. As a result, mango exports are projected to decline to around 80,000 tonnes this season, down from nearly 110,000 tonnes last year.

Despite lower production, international demand for Pakistani mangoes remains strong. Premium varieties such as Sindhri, Chaunsa, Anwar Ratol and White Chaunsa continue to enjoy robust demand across the Gulf region, China, Europe and North America.

Pakistan typically exports around 110,000 tonnes of mangoes annually to nearly 50 countries, generating between $75 million and $80 million in foreign exchange earnings.

Khawar noted that the industry’s performance this year will largely depend on how effectively exporters manage higher transportation costs while maintaining competitiveness in overseas markets.

He stressed that while demand for Pakistani mangoes remains strong, exporters face a challenging season marked by higher freight costs, logistical disruptions and a smaller crop. “The demand is there, but maintaining competitiveness in traditional export markets will be the key challenge this season,” he said.