Pakistani mango exports into Iran were reopened after a suspension of a month due to the closing of treatment plant. Mangoes treated with hot water is a process used after harvest employed to combat insects and diseases within the mango. The process involves soaking mangoes in hot water for a certain time and temperature to get rid of or lessen the number of insect larvae, pests as well as pathogens in the surface of the fruit. The treatment is typically utilized for mangoes destined to be exported in order to comply with the phytosanitary standards of countries that import.
According to Iranian phytosanitary guidelines mangoes need heat treatment in order to avoid the spread of pests as well as illnesses. There was an allegation that the mangoes produced in Pakistan did not receive the HWT they required from a licensed plant belonging to the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) therefore their export was stopped. But the return of exports through a single plant taken exporters as well as rival plant owners off guard.
A number of mango exporters, mainly from Multan are coming to the table with serious concerns regarding exports being resumed without any treatment procedures mandated by law.
Source: profit.pakistantoday.com.pk
Source: The Plantations International Agroforestry Group of Companies