Leading News Resource of Pakistan - Impact of goods transport carriers’ strike

Published: January 05, 2013 

 
Kinnow export falls $3.6m short of target in Dec 

By Tanveer Sher 

KARACHI: The export of kinnow for the month of December 2012 has fallen short of 13 percent or 6,000 tonnes to 39,000 tonnes as against the set target of 45,000 tonnes due to the two weeks strike by the goods transport carriers during the month, Daily Times learnt on Friday. 

The total export target for the month of December was set at $27 million, but due to the strike it fell short of $3.6 million to $23.4 million.

Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchant Association (PFVA) Chairman Waheed Ahmed has claimed that the production of at least 1.8 million tonnes kinnow was expected during this season (December to beginning of April) out of which 200,000 tonnes target worth $120 million was set for export purpose which appeared acceptable.

According to him, the high-valued citrus fruit was being exported to Ukraine, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Philippine, Sri Lanka, England, Kuwait, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, Bangladesh, Masqat and Bahrain. However due to the economic sanctions imposed by United States of America, the largest market for Pakistani kinnow remained untapped this year. “No significant export of the fruit has been recorded this year to Iran as compared to 25,000 tonnes of kinnow exported to Tehran last year,” he added.

The lucrative market of Indonesia also remained closed for Pakistani kinnow amid huge import duty in the foreign country. The duty could have been lifted or reduced if the already signed Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between the two countries had been implemented.

However, Pakistani embassy in Indonesia, he claimed, was confident to have the PTA implemented by January 18, 2013 as it was assured by the concerned authorities in the host country. At least 20,000 to 25,000 tonnes of the fruit can be exported to the foreign country if the agreement is implemented soon. Besides, the $1,500 per container as General Rate Increase (GRI) imposed by shipping lines was increasing the cost of exports. The association, he claimed, has however suggested the shipping lines to link GRI with the distance of exportable items. The matter was under discussion at shipping lines. 
December statistics :

Export target

45,000 tonnes

or $27m

Achieved

39,000 tonnes or $23.4m

Shortage

6,000 tonnes

or $3.6m

 

 


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