by Chen Jiaqi

SHANGHAI, Nov. 6 (China Economic Net) - "It is expected the first batch of cherries will be exported from Pakistan to China next year," said Li Wei, business representative of Huazhilong International Trading Private Ltd. Pakistan in an interview with China Economic Net (CEN) at the third China International Import Expo (CIIE), in east China's Shanghai.

Li Wei, business representative of Huazhilong International Trading Private Ltd. Pakistan receives an interview with the CEN at the third China International Import Expo (CIIE), in east China's Shanghai. [Photo/Wang Zhongqiang]

Pakistani cherries can not be exported to China at present. "If the pandemic is over next year, it should be possible. Pakistani cherries are really good, including sweetness and quality." Previously, Pakistani media reported that export of Pakistani cherries has been hindered by cold chain management, market information system, packaging and processing facilities. In this regard, Li Wei said China can provide technical assistance to manage orchards, while Pakistan can provide workers, so that both sides can achieve win-win cooperation. "For example, to tackle the problem of cherry fruit fly, 60-70 degree hot water bath treatment and the following cold storage is a solution. Now as cold chain technology lags behind in Pakistan, we will develop it and strive to solve it next year."

Cherries grow in Gilgit-Baltistan region, Pakistan along the Karakoram Highway. [Photo/Chen Jiaqi]

Referring to why he embarked on export business of agricultural products from Pakistan, Li Wei said the general manager of the company visited Pakistan by chance and found that there was a great business opportunity for the export of agricultural products from Pakistan to China. In the second half of 2018, 24 tons of mango were exported from Pakistan to China and sold out in Xinfadi, a large wholesale market of fruits, vegetables, and meat for Beijing. "It was the first to enter Beijing by air cargo transport from Lahore." This year, the company was officially registered in Pakistan.

Pakistani mangoes comparable to those from Australia

Previously, the reporter learned that the price of Pakistani mango in China is about RMB 40 per kg, while the price of Chinese mango is about half of that, so is there a market for Pakistani mango in China?

According to Li Wei, Pakistani mango is comparable to those from Australia and the Philippines. Although the price is more expensive than domestic mango, Pakistani mango is better in terms of variety, appearance, quality, among others. The sugar content of ripe mango can reach 22.68%. "It tastes best at 75% - 80% maturity," he added.

There is seasonal difference in the marketing of Pakistani mango in China. "The mango season in Pakistan starts from August 20 to November 20, while there are almost no mangoes in southern China in November. Pakistani mango can extend the mango season by two months compared with Chinese mango. It has a time advantage," Li Wei explained.

The mango orchard adopts the cooperation mode between China and Pakistan. "Chinese side provides technology and sends technical staff in fields of inorganic fertilizer, bagging, picking, disinfection, transportation, while Pakistani side provides labor. Finally, through cross-border e-commerce air transportation, Chinese customers can eat fresh mango within a week after placing an order," he added.

If the pandemic improves next year, China will import large quantities of Pakistani mangoes. On the development of high value-added mango products, he said that in the next step, they may cooperate with domestic snack manufacturers to produce dried mango products.

Morchella with price advantage has export potential

Li Jinhuan, Executive Director of Huazhilong International Trading Private Ltd. Pakistan receives an interview with the CEN at the third China International Import Expo (CIIE), in east China's Shanghai. [Photo/Wang Zhongqiang]

Regarding the other potential agricultural products in Pakistan, Li Jinhuan, Executive Director of Huazhilong International Trading Private Ltd. Pakistan, said to the CEN that besides mango, the company also exports other Pakistani agricultural products such as cotton, Morchella, rice and corn. "We have received orders for Morchella from China before. Similar to fungus, Morchella is also a kind of medicinal material. It is scarce in China, with large demand and high price. Although the Morchella output in Pakistan is low and it's difficult to buy, the price is much lower than that in China," Li Jinhuan added.

The China International Import Expo (CIIE), hailed as "an innovation in the history of global trade," opened its third edition in Shanghai on Nov.4 and will last until Nov. 10.

The article is translated by Fu Bo & Wang Su.