Kenya could soon begin importing mandarins and mangoes from Pakistan, becoming an international market for the Asian nation 40,000-50,000 citrus fruits.
According to officials from the Pakistan Federal Ministry of National Food Security and Research and Ministry of Commerce, a Kenyan delegation consisting KEPHIS Managing Director Professor Theophilus Mutui, Phyto-sanitary Services General Manager Dr. Isaac Macharia, Chief Inspector George Momanyi and PRA Expert Asenath Koech visited kinnow orchards and inspected 33 plants and pack houses in Karachi, Multan, and Bhalwal.
There are several notable varieties of mangoes, including Sindhri, Totapari, Langra, Fajri, Samar Bahist, Saroli, Maldah, and Dasheri, but it is the Chaunsa mango that accounts for 60 percent of Pakistan’s mango exports
According to officials privy to the information, the opening of new markets in the African region would help Pakistan enter into other connecting markets for exporting horticulture products.
The delegation from Nairobi expressed satisfaction on the high standard of processing plants and strict compliance on implementation of quarantine procedures.
After Nairobi’s quarantine delegations’ visit, it is strongly anticipated that export of Pakistani kinnow would commence to Kenya during the current season.
Kenya to become a market for 50,000 tonnes of citrus from Pakistan
Pakistan is expected to make the East Africa nation a gateway for its exports into Eastern Africa and destination for its mangoes.
If the export of kinnow begins during the current season, it is anticipated that the East African nation can become a promising international market of 40,000 to 50,000 tonnes for the Pakistani citrus.
During the Pakistan-Africa trade conference held in January 2020, a delegation organized meetings with Kenyan importers and officials of the quarantine department wherein it was mutually agreed to explore opportunities of exporting Pakistani fruits to Kenya and finalizing quarantine protocols between the two countries.
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