Latest news with #WaheedAhmed
Arab News
25-06-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistani exporters bank on Middle East to export 125,000 tons of mangoes this season
ISLAMABAD: A leading Pakistani fruits exporters association said on Wednesday it has set an ambitious target of exporting 125,000 tons of mangoes from May to September this year to earn $100 million in revenue, hoping to export 70 percent of these to markets in the Middle East. Pakistan is the world's fourth-largest mango producer, with the fruit's exports generating millions of dollars in revenue annually, according to the Pakistan Fruit and Vegetables Export Association (PFVEA). Pakistan's 20 varieties of mangoes come second only to oranges as the most-produced fruit in the country. The country produces around 1,800,000 metric tons of mangoes annually, with 70 percent grown in Punjab, 29 percent in Sindh and 1 percent grown in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 'Pakistan is aiming to export 125,000 tons of mangoes this season, 25 percent more than last year's target of 100,000 tons, with exports having started on May 25 and continuing until the end of September,' PFVEA Patron-in-Chief Waheed Ahmed told Arab News. 'We are hoping to export 70 percent of this target to Middle Eastern countries, our largest market, and if achieved, the country is expected to earn an estimated $100 million in foreign exchange,' he added. However, Ahmed warned adverse effects of climate change may impact the amount of mangoes Pakistan produces this year. Pakistan, which has faced irregular weather patterns ranging from heat waves and unusually heavy rains, is frequently ranked among the most adversely affected countries due to climate change effects. Mango production has been on the decline in Pakistan for the past three consecutive years. 'Mango production in Pakistan is consistently declining due to climate change and water scarcity and there is a risk of up to 25 percent reduction in total mango production this year as well,' Ahmed warned. After the projected decline, the PFVEA official said this season's total mango production may come down to around 1.4 million tons 'However, we have increased the export target because we are exporting only 125,000 tons out of the estimated 1.4 million tons, so we remain hopeful of achieving it despite all challenges,' Ahmed said. Ahmed called for interventions such as improved water management, production of climate-resilient mango varieties, research and development and modernization of agriculture and horticulture. He said efforts were underway to boost mango exports to non-traditional markets such as Japan, the United States, South Korea and Australia, with a special focus on expanding exports to Turkiye and China. He noted that regional tensions, particularly Pakistan's conflict with India and the Israel-Iran tensions, have led to higher export costs due to additional charges by shipping companies on Pakistani cargo. 'We urge the Federal Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs to intervene and eliminate these extra charges to help improve export competitiveness,' Ahmed said. Farmers and exporters agreed adverse climate conditions had affected not only the volume of production but also the quality of mangoes. 'We have been facing losses due to multiple factors, including low yield and lower-than-expected demand caused by conflicts in the Middle East,' Asif Ahmed, an exporter from Iftikhar Ahmed & Co, told Arab News. Asif, who has been exporting mangoes for over six decades, hoped the Iran-Israel ceasefire would improve the situation and that fruit prices would rise to help cover the losses. 'We have farms in Sindh's Tando Allahyar and Mirpur Khas districts where production was almost around 30 percent less than normal this year,' Asif said. Amjad Hussain, an exporter from Punjab's Multan city, agreed climate change had reduced the size of the mangoes and their quality as well. 'It has affected more than 25 percent of our yield, which will reduce our exports, though the exact figure will be clear by September,' Hussain said.
Arab News
27-05-2025
- Health
- Arab News
Police official guarding polio team shot dead in Pakistan's southwest
ISLAMABAD: A police official providing security to a polio vaccination team was shot dead in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province on Tuesday, the provincial administration said, highlighting the persistent threat to workers involved in the country's polio eradication campaign. Pakistan remains one of only two countries in the world where polio is still endemic, alongside Afghanistan. Efforts to eradicate the disease have faced numerous challenges, including parental refusals, misinformation and persistent attacks by militant groups. In many remote and volatile regions, vaccination teams operate under police protection, though security personnel themselves have frequently been targeted. 'A police officer was martyred in Nushki while guarding a polio team,' said Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind in a statement. 'The polio campaign is a national duty, and any attack on it is intolerable,' he added. 'We pay tribute to the officer who embraced martyrdom in the line of duty.' The slain officer, identified as Waheed Ahmed, was a resident of Jamalabad, Nushki, according to the provincial spokesperson. Rind termed the shooting 'a conspiracy to sabotage the national campaign and spread fear.' He also vowed stricter action against the perpetrators. 'The government will further strengthen security measures for both polio teams and the personnel assigned to protect them,' he added. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the incident, expressing sorrow over the death of the police official and extending condolences to his family. 'An attack on a polio team working to safeguard the future of our children is unacceptable,' he said. 'Elements opposing the polio campaign will be dealt with firmly.' Pakistan witnessed a sharp rise in polio cases last year, with 74 children diagnosed with the crippling disease, 27 of them from Balochistan. So far this year, 10 cases have been reported across the country, prompting authorities to ramp up door-to-door vaccination drives despite the ongoing threat from militant groups.
Business Recorder
23-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pakistan set to launch $100m mango-export drive on 25th
KARACHI: Pakistan is gearing up to kick off its mango export season on May 25, 2025, with an ambitious target of shipping 125,000 tons of the fruit overseas. According to the Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association (PFVA), if the target achieved, the move could generate an estimated $100 million in foreign exchange, offering a significant boost to the country's agricultural exports. The export target for the current season is some 25 percent or 25,000 tons higher than last year. However, climate challenges may impact the overall supply of mangoes. Waheed Ahmed, Patron-in-Chief of PFVA informed that mango production in Pakistan is consistently declining due to climate change and water scarcity and there is a risk of up to 20 percent reduction in total mango production during this year as well. He said Pakistan typically produces around 1.8 million tons of mangoes annually, with 70 percent of the crop grown in Punjab, 29 percent in Sindh, and 1 percent in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 'After the projected 20 percent decline, this season's total production may come down to around 1.4 million tons,' he added. Waheed said that efforts are underway to boost mango exports to non-traditional markets. 'In addition to our regular buyers, we are targeting Japan, the United States, South Korea, and Australia, while placing special focus on expanding in Turkey and China,' he informed. He revealed that South Africa is expected to open its market for Pakistani mangoes this season. 'Quarantine experts from South Africa will visit Pakistan during the season, and we hope this will pave the way for mango exports to begin there,' he stated. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
23-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Mango exports to fetch $100m
Listen to article Pakistan is aiming to export 125,000 tonnes of mangoes this season and shipments will commence from May 25. If the target is achieved, the country could fetch an estimated $100 million in foreign exchange, said the Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association (PFVA). The export target for the current season is 25,000 tonnes higher than last year. However, climate challenges may impact the overall supply of mangoes. According to PFVA Patron-in-Chief Waheed Ahmed, mango production in Pakistan is consistently declining due to climate change and water scarcity. "There is a risk of up to 20% reduction in total mango production this year as well," he warned. Ahmed said Pakistan typically produced around 1.8 million tonnes of mangoes annually, with 70% of the crop grown in Punjab, 29% in Sindh and 1% in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. After the projected 20% decline, this season's total production may come down to around 1.4 million tonnes. He emphasised that efforts were underway to boost mango exports to non-traditional markets. "In addition to our regular buyers, we are targeting Japan, the United States, South Korea and Australia while paying special attention to expanding footprint in Turkey and China," he said. The PFVA patron-in-chief revealed that South Africa was expected to open its market for Pakistani mangoes in the current season. In this regard, quarantine experts from the African nation will visit Pakistan and it is hoped this will pave the way for beginning mango exports. Highlighting broader challenges, Ahmed said, "Climate change is a serious challenge facing agriculture and increasing water scarcity is also affecting mango production. There is a pressing need for provincial-level initiatives, including better water management, the development of climate-resilient mango varieties, research and development work and modernisation of the entire agriculture sector including horticulture." He also pointed to the rising cost of exports amid regional tensions.
Business Recorder
23-04-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Sit-in on highways: 250 containers of potatoes stuck at Sindh's entry point
KARACHI: A sit-in on the highways has caused 250 containers of potatoes to get stuck at Sindh's entry point. Exports are facing yet another challenge — just as the disruption caused by the goods transporters' strike had not yet been resolved, a new obstacle has emerged. The 250 containers of potatoes meant for export are stranded at the entry point of Sindh. Export orders for the Middle East and Far East countries are facing delays due to the protest. According to Waheed Ahmed, the Patron-in-Chief of the Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association, generators are required to maintain the temperature for the potatoes. If the containers do not reach the port, there is a risk of the entire consignment being spoiled. Waheed Ahmed stated that exporters could suffer a loss of $1.5 million. If export orders are cancelled, not only exporters but farmers will also bear the brunt. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
