Mango production in Pakistan is expected to decline about 50 percent this year since the harvest has been strong hit due to unusually high temperatures and lack of water, the main of Manufacturers and Exporters Association reported.
This month, the country experienced abnormal heat. with temperature in south crosses 50 degrees Celsius. According to the climate change ministry, the country jumped from winter to summer without surviving spring.
Over a billion people are situated in risk from effects of heat in in the region, scientists warn, associating an early start of intense summer to climate change.
“The heat wave affected it (the crop) a lot because the temperature in March was 28, 29°C – but all of suddenly it hit 42,” said Wahid Ahmed, head of Pakistan Association of Exporters, Importers and Traders of Fruits and Vegetables.
He said heat at that time of bloom of mango trees have greatly influenced production, adding that Pakistan facing 50 pcs. drop in mango production is year as result.
Although heat succulent ripens yellow fetus, untimely early rise in temperature combined with The lack of water severely affected the crop.
“When the unripe fruit is ready, it needs water, which helps the mango grow to good size,” said manufacturer and contractor Gul Hassan. in Tando Allah Yar. “No water in Sind.
Pakistan is the world’s fifth largest producer of mango after India, China, Thailand and Indonesia, Ahmed said.
Average mango production is almost 1.8 million tons, but is likely to be around half that this year, he said, adding that the association had reduced the export target by 25,000 tons compared to with last year up to 125,000 tons.
