​Half of Pakistan's kinnow processing factories closed due to lack of research

Half of the 250 kinnow processing factories in Pakistan have closed in the last two years due to a lack of research and development.

“Without the development of new kinnow varieties, exports might stop within three years,” Waheed Ahmed, chairman of the All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association, said.

Kinnow exports are on a declining trend and last season, Pakistan could only export fruit worth around $100 million.

The livelihoods of 300,000 people working in the kinnow industry and an investment of PKR 300 billion are also at risk.

“Pakistan’s kinnow variety is 60 years old, making it vulnerable to diseases and weather effects, and no variety in the world lasts more than 25 years,” Ahmed said.

The PFVA has been urging both provincial and federal governments for the past decade to promote research and development and plant new kinnow varieties in different regions, but no action has been taken. Punjab's share in kinnow production is almost 100%.

The PFVA has set the export target for kinnow this season at 250,000 tons, which is 50,000 tons less than last year.

Ahmed stated that the production and quality of kinnow are being significantly affected by climate conditions.

The kinnow season has been delayed due to prolonged heat and the late arrival of cold weather, and production is expected to be 35% lower this year.