KARACHI: Pakistan exported highest-ever 460,000 tonnes of kinno during 2020-21 amid strong demand as foreign buyers consumed the fruit for strengthening the immunity system against Covid-19.

Around 40 countries lifted Pakistani kinno which boosted exports by 30 per cent compared to 353,000 tonnes last year.

“Kinno exports have fetched $253 million this season,” Waheed Ahmed, Patron-in-Chief, All Pakistan Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association (PFVA) said, adding that export target for the current year was 350,000 tonnes to fetch $210m.

He said despite record kinno sales, exporters had to sustain huge financial losses as dollar price fell sharply to Rs153 while they materialised export orders at Rs168.

Pakistani kinno, however, could not get fair price due to lockdown in international markets while disproportionate increase in the cost of freight further multiplied the huge financial losses, the highest loss was sustained in the Russian market, he deplored.

He said exports of kinno were also made to Afghanistan and Iran after reopening of borders due to efforts of the ministries of commerce and interior. Exporters also made shipments to the United Kingdom after a long gap of seven years as the UK has left from the European Union.

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2021