Pakistan’s citrus industry is confronted by problems with climate, decreasing output, and obstacles to exports

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Pakistan is one of the South Asian country, holds the position of 12th of the top global citrus growers. The industry however faces challenges because of climate change which is causing an increase in the area of cultivation and production. In the year 2023, the Ministry of National Food and Security in Pakistan has reported that the area of citrus cultivation areas from 156,887 hectares in 2021, to 156,211 acres by 2023. In particular the area in Punjab where the amount of land was reduced in size from 145,349 acres to 145,084, and Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan were also affected by decreases in their cultivation of citrus areas.

The same is true for citrus production. Pakistan has seen a decrease of 2,372,119 tons from 2021 to 2,229,520 tonnes in 2023. The decline is evident throughout all provinces, including Punjab seeing a drop from 2,296,790 tonnes to 2,160,411 tons. Production of Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as well as Balochistan was also down during the exact same period. Factors like the growing degree of smog, as well as consequences of climate change been cited as the main causes of the decline.

Experts stress the necessity of innovations in agriculture to tackle the challenges. Waheed Ahmed, from the All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association has stressed the importance of finding fresh, disease-resistant citrus varieties which are able to withstand impacts of climate change. The current cultivar that is Mandarin (Kinnow) from Pakistan that was developed in the past 60 years it has lost its original resistance to disease, which is exacerbated by the effects of climate alteration.

Researchers and other experts have suggested that adapting the industry of citrus to climate change will require an approach that is scientific, which includes the creation of new citrus cultivars. Expert in climate change Murad Khan pointed out that climate change is also shortening the harvest season for citrus in Pakistan which has impacted export possibilities. He mentioned the introduction of drought-resistant varieties of wheat within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as an example of the need for study and development of agriculture.

The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) stated that by 2021, Pakistan exported products from the citrus industry worth USD 185.5 million and Afghanistan being the largest destination. But, issues like inadequate capacity for production, large losses after harvest, as well as non-compliance with international laws hinder global export of food-grade products from Pakistan.

Source: WE News

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