ISLAMABAD, Jan 07 (APP): Pakistan\u2019s citrus sector is well positioned for a significant export expansion, with the potential to raise annual earnings to $1 billion within the next six years by introducing new citrus varieties, enhancing quality standards, and expanding value-added processing.<\/p>\n
Member Board of Directors of the Pakistan Horticulture Export and Development Company (PHDEC), Ministry of Commerce, and chairman of the PHDEC Citrus Export Sub-committee Shoaib Ahmed Basra told Wealth Pakistan that industry assessments indicate the target is achievable as growers increasingly adopt seedless, early- and late-season varieties alongside modern production and post-harvest practices.<\/p>\n
Pakistan has already demonstrated its export potential, with citrus shipments touching around $250 million in 2021. \u201cThis performance highlights the strength of our growers and exporters,\u201d Basra said, adding that the introduction of internationally preferred varieties would allow Pakistan to access higher-value markets and substantially expand exports.<\/p>\n
He noted that diversification beyond Kinnow into mandarins, tangerines, clementines, oranges, lemons, and grapefruit would enable year-round exports and broader access to premium global markets.<\/p>\n
Strengthening quality certification, traceability systems, clean nurseries, and the use of imported germplasm, he said, would further enhance Pakistan\u2019s competitiveness.<\/p>\n
He also highlighted the potential of developing dedicated citrus clusters, particularly on virgin land in the Potohar region, to support modern, export-oriented production.<\/p>\n
\u201cKinnow remains the backbone of our citrus industry and has served Pakistan extremely well for decades,\u201d Basra said. \u201cAt the same time, global demand is evolving, and by aligning our production with international preferences, we can unlock new growth opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pakistan is expecting a strong Kinnow crop of around 2.8 million tonnes this season\u2014nearly double last year\u2019s output\u2014reflecting improved production conditions. Basra said this rising output provides an excellent opportunity to expand value addition and diversify exports, ensuring better returns for farmers and exporters alike.<\/p>\n
He also pointed to the growing scope for processed citrus products such as juices, concentrates, and packaged beverages, noting that value-added exports offer higher returns and longer shelf life. \u201cGlobally, value addition drives growth, and Pakistan has the raw material base to build a strong citrus processing industry,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Pakistan already exports citrus by sea to markets across the Middle East, Indonesia, and the Philippines, with shipments expected to rise this season. Central Asian markets also offer promising prospects due to their close proximity and growing demand.<\/p>\n
Currently ranked as the world\u2019s 18th-largest citrus exporter, Pakistan\u2019s citrus sector accounts for about 30 percent of total fruit production. Kinnow represents roughly 85 percent of total citrus output and contributes around 80 percent of citrus exports, underlining its central role in both domestic and international markets.<\/p>\n
Production is largely concentrated in Punjab, with major citrus-growing districts including Sargodha, Sahiwal, Toba Tek Singh, Multan, Khanewal, Layyah, and Fateh Jang. This concentration has positioned Pakistan as the global hub for Kinnow, producing about 90 percent of the world\u2019s total supply\u2014a strong foundation on which the country can build a more diversified and higher-value citrus export future.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD, Jan 07 (APP): Pakistan\u2019s citrus sector is well positioned for a significant export expansion, with the potential to raise annual earnings to $1 billion within the next six years by introducing new citrus varieties, enhancing quality standards, and expanding value-added processing. Member Board of Directors of the Pakistan Horticulture Export and Development Company (PHDEC),…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":31930,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[422],"tags":[1124],"class_list":["post-31929","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pakistan","tag-pakistans-citrus-exports-can-rise-to-1bn-through-diversification-and-value-addition"],"yoast_head":"\n