According to Pakistan Today, fruit worth an estimated US$40m is being smuggled from Pakistan to neighbouring Iran, costing the former country susbstantial revenues on exports and significantly reducing the legal trade of fruit with Tehran.
Iran has also expressed concerns over the export of unhygienic fruits by open trucks, which fails to meet the necessary phytosanitary requirements.
The All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association (PFVA) has claimed that, due to unchecked trade via land routes with Tehran, the export of Pakistani kinnow has declined from 2,000 containers to only 200 over the last few years.
A special meeting of concerned authorities is scheduled to take place on 26 August to address the issue.
Exporters of kinnows and mangoes in Pakistan were reportedly concerned about the future of exports to Iran, which is regarded as an excellent market, particularly in terms of prompt payment for imports.
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