KARACHI: Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) has arranged for a field trip along with the representatives of almost all the 7 giant Japanese trading houses in Pakistan, to the major mango exporting factory as well as the observation of the VHT Plant at the Plant Protection Department on the August 06.

These Japanese trading houses are dominant players of the Japanese market and have strong connections or subsidiary companies for wholesalers, retailers and logistics management. Cumulative sales of these Japanese trading houses in Japanese FY 2008 were Rs 75,167 billion.

Currently there is a boom in demand for domestic mango in Japan. The most popular use of mangoes is as a gift since it is an expensive and popular item. It is also widely used in deserts and sweet (cake) toppings. Annual cost of domestic variety of mango in Japan is Rs 5,000/kg some varieties are even available at 8,000/kg where as the imported varieties are available for Rs 2 to 3 thousand per kg.

There has been a steady increase in import of mangoes in Japan. In 2008, Japan imported 11,589 tons worth 4.38 billion yen (c.i.f basis). In 2007 the total import of mangoes was 12,389 tons. Compared to the year before (2006) there was a 0.1 percent increase. Total value of import in 2007 was 5.744 billion, increasing 16.6 percent as compared to 2006. This is the highest value and volume of import. Price has also been increasing in 5-year series.

Currently, Japan has allowed import of mangoes from limited countries like, Mexico, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Brazil, and a few others. In 2006 Japan allowed import of mangoes from India and imports small quantity, however, so far, Japan has not allowed import of mangoes from Pakistan. JETRO strongly believes that Pakistani mango have a great potential to capture the Japanese market because of steady increase in Japanese demand, huge difference in the domestic market price of mangoes in Pakistan and Japan and lastly high interest of the Japanese trading houses in mango business.

[source: pakissan.com]