Pakistan’s federal government has directed the Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company (PHDEC) to prepare a five-year roadmap to increase kinnow exports, targeting transport delays, customs clearance problems and barriers to accessing international markets.
The directive was issued at a meeting of a subcommittee formed on the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and chaired by Minister of State for Health Dr. Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath. Representatives of 41 organisations and institutions attended the meeting to discuss measures to address exporters’ concerns and strengthen Pakistan’s position in the global citrus market.
The committee also reviewed progress on the prime minister’s directive for a 60% tariff concession at Port Qasim. Discussions focused on improving export logistics, facilitating fruit shipments and expanding Pakistan’s share in international citrus markets.
Government Targets Transport and Customs Bottlenecks
The committee proposed arranging daily convoys to transport fruit across the Iran border and introducing a dedicated green channel for faster customs clearance of perishable agricultural products.
These measures are intended to reduce delays in moving fruit to export destinations and help maintain product quality during transit. Their effectiveness will depend on implementation by the relevant authorities and coordination among border, customs and transport agencies.
Dr. Bharath called for stronger cooperation between federal ministries, government agencies and private-sector representatives to improve export facilitation and access to overseas markets.
The state minister also directed relevant authorities to extend exporters’ financial instruments before November 15. During the meeting, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) informed participants that the prescribed maximum period for repatriating export proceeds was 120 days.
The SBP’s January 5, 2022, official announcement explains the rule requiring exporters to bring export proceeds into Pakistan within the prescribed period. The related SBP foreign exchange circular provides further regulatory details, including applicable conditions and exceptions.
PHDEC Given 15 Days to Prepare Export Strategy
PHDEC has been directed to prepare the five-year roadmap within 15 days. The proposed plan is intended to increase kinnow exports and promote value addition across Pakistan’s citrus industry.
The official PHDEC website provides information about the organisation’s role in developing horticultural exports and supporting the sector.
Pakistan’s citrus industry faces several challenges in reaching international markets, including maintaining consistent quality, meeting importing countries’ phytosanitary requirements and managing transportation and cold-storage costs. Addressing these issues will be important to improving the competitiveness of Pakistani kinnow.
The government has previously outlined measures to expand citrus exports. In a September 20, 2025, official announcement, the Press Information Department reported initiatives involving new export markets, seedless kinnow varieties, improved testing and certification, and value-added citrus products.
That announcement also highlighted efforts to facilitate exporters entering Uzbekistan and other Central Asian markets. These earlier initiatives provide background to the latest roadmap directive, although they do not independently confirm the decisions taken at the October 2026 meeting.
Refrigerated Freight Train Proposed for Citrus Shipments
The committee proposed operating a weekly refrigerated freight train from Sargodha to Karachi and Quetta. The Ministry of Railways was asked to prepare a feasibility report for the proposed service.
Refrigerated transportation could provide exporters with another option for moving temperature-sensitive agricultural products. However, the commercial viability of the service will depend on freight rates, cargo capacity, scheduling and access to suitable storage facilities.
The committee also directed relevant departments to address concerns involving import duties on Pakistani produce in the Philippines and valuation-related matters in Russia.
Resolving these issues could help exporters manage market-entry costs and reduce trade-related obstacles. Any resulting changes, however, will depend on the decisions of the relevant authorities and the applicable regulations in importing countries.
Pakistan Seeks Wider Markets for Kinnow Products
The government’s broader citrus-export strategy includes promoting seedless kinnow and developing processed products such as juices, concentrates and essential oils. These products could help exporters diversify beyond fresh-fruit shipments and reach additional market segments.
An official Ministry of Commerce sector strategy for fruits and vegetables provides further context on Pakistan’s horticultural export opportunities and the trade barriers affecting the sector.
The five-year roadmap is expected to provide a longer-term framework for expanding exports and promoting value addition. Its impact will depend on the final strategy, implementation arrangements and the extent to which proposed improvements translate into lower costs, more reliable shipments and greater access to overseas markets.
