By Azeem Ahmed
A sudden opening in a long-blocked trade route has given Pakistan’s fruit and vegetable exporters a rare moment of relief, especially as Pakistan Kinnow exports continue to shape regional market expectations.
After weeks of uncertainty, the Iran transit path is open again, raising hopes that potatoes and the year’s strong Kinnow crop can finally reach Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) markets without obstacles.
Impact of Iran Route Reopening on Pakistan Kinnow Exports
At the center of this shift, exporters say this change could not have come at a better time
Speaking to this reporter, Waheed Ahmed, Patron-in-Chief of the All Pakistan Fruit & Vegetable Exporters, Importers & Merchants Association, explained that the potato sector has stayed stable despite the year’s severe floods.
He said the floods caused no damage because the crop had already been harvested and moved into cold storage.
Looking ahead, he added that the new potato crop has just begun entering markets. Even if 5 to 10 percent of the fresh produce suffers some effect, he said it will not disturb local supply.
Effects of Afghan Border Closure on Trade Flow
For weeks, exporters struggled because most of Pakistan’s potato and Kinnow shipments go to CIS countries. A 50-day closure of the Afghan border blocked the main route. As a result, exporters could not send goods out, and the stalls in local markets felt the price pressure.
Now that the Iran transit corridor is back in action, exporters are preparing to increase shipments quickly. Waheed said they will need at least 8 to 10 trawlers each day. Without the reopening, the situation, he warned, would have been “extremely difficult.”
Rising Freight Costs and Market Challenges
Another concern, he said, is the heavy presence of small-sized Kinnow that comes with a bumper harvest. Pakistan has very little local demand for these smaller fruits. He explained that the biggest buyers are CIS states and Russia.
If the corridor had stayed closed, more than half of the small Kinnow crop would have remained unsold.
At the same time, rising freight prices have become a new obstacle. The cost of a reefer container jumped from 120 million Toman to 240 million Toman in just ten days.
Waheed said transporters increased rates because they knew exporters urgently needed containers. He urged Islamabad to raise this issue with Tehran.
Shrinking Kinnow Season and Economic Pressure on Regions
Despite all this, Waheed shared a hopeful message. Security comes first, he said, but he also called on Afghanistan and Pakistan to sort out border complications quickly so the supply chain can continue without more delays.
The Kinnow season, which started on December 1, is strong this year. Waheed said the country is seeing a bumper crop, though the fruit’s quality and shelf life remain the same as last year. He warned that Pakistan’s old Kinnow variety is becoming less competitive, hurting exports.
To explain his concern, he pointed to export numbers. Pakistan once shipped 500,000 to 550,000 tonnes of Kinnow. Last year, that number fell to 250,000 tonnes, and he fears it may fall further unless action is taken.
Adding to the strain, Pakistan’s Kinnow marketing season has shrunk. It once ran from October to May. Now, it lasts only two to three months.
Because the Afghan border remained closed, harvesting slowed, and factories received fewer Kinnow supplies. More than 300 processing plants and about 450,000 workers depend on this industry. Waheed said most factories opened late — only eight or nine days ago — adding to financial pressure.
Need for New Kinnow Varieties and Government Action
Even long-time exporters, including Waheed himself, are stepping back. His factory began operations in 1995, but he said he has not exported for the last three years because he does not want to risk damaging his brand.
In cities like Sargodha and Bhalwal, he added, many exporters are turning to other businesses because the Kinnow economy is weakening. Without new economic options in these regions, countless workers who rely on seasonal citrus income could face deep hardship.
Looking for solutions, Waheed stressed the need for new Kinnow varieties with stronger shelf life to reach far-off markets. The Punjab government set aside Rs1.4 billion for this purpose and held a meeting in March, but he said there has been no real progress yet.
Pushing for action, he called on the government to bring in experts from abroad and within the country, enforce strict nursery rules, and invest in disease-free plant stock. If these steps are taken, he said, Pakistan will see better varieties and new growing areas in the future.
Author Profile
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Azeem Ahmed is an Islamabad-based journalist specializing in agriculture, business, and economic trends.
He provides insightful analysis on market developments and policy impacts shaping Pakistan’s economy.
