Mandarins from Pakistan: Hapag-Lloyd penetrates attractive niche business

The soil and climatic conditions in Pakistan have given the Kinnow a very unique flavour, which distinguishes it from other comparable mandarins grown in the world. Ideal conditions for growing this sweet fruit include an abundance of water, rich nitrogen content in the soil, and relatively cool weather. Winter in the plains of the Punjab province of Pakistan provides an excellent growing environment for this fruit.

Sweet (mandarin) oranges are eaten fresh or processed for squash (sweetened fruit juice) and other juice preparation. Citrus fruits are a rich source of sugar, citric acid and vitamin C, and they possess valuable medicinal properties, which lead them to be used to prevent colds and malaria and to promote blood coagulation.

Annual volume movement for oranges from Pakistan reaches up to 20,000 TEU, with significant percentage moving into Europe and Gulf. For the year 2018/2019, Hapag-Lloyd Pakistan was able to break the ice and participate in this trade, in which volumes have traditionally been mostly held by our competitors. Hapag-Lloyd AG carried over 1,000 TEU in the season, and this momentum is expected to continue until the end of March.

“It’s been a great opportunity and an exciting journey with full cooperation received from the Area and Regional teams in enabling us to grow the reefer business from Pakistan and to participate in the niche markets in which we have historically had no presence,” says Shariq Siddique, Reefer Focal for Pakistan. “I am thankful to our management for giving me this opportunity, and we hope to grow further in this trade and attract high-revenue business for the company.”