Fruits Info

LAHORE: The export of fruits and vegetables was boosted to $40 million in 2004-05, and substantial progress is also very much expected in the current fiscal year because of the environment offered by the government to exporters, said Punjab Agricultural Marketing Minister Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon at the meeting to review the facilities for fruit and vegetable exporters on Sunday.

The meeting was told that more than 282 million kilogram’s of fruits had been exported, earning $92 million in foreign exchange, whereas almost 173 million kilogram’s of vegetables worth $51 million had been exported in 2004-05. Plans had been made to increase the export of fruits, vegetables and flowers, the minister said, adding that a modern Citrus Resource Centre was being established in Bhalwal to improve the storage system for the fruit.

Rana said the 31 fruits and vegetables markets were being improved and development work on market committees was being carried out at a cost of Rs 1.18 billion. He said flower markets were being established to improve marketing and boost the export of flowers. Market committees of Punjab would be computerized by the end of this year, he said, adding that electronic display boards were also being set up in major cities.