Russian fruit market route opens for Pakistan, first kinnow consignment reaches Darbant

Pakistan’s National Logistic Cell (NLC) has achieved another millstone with the provision of kinnow supply to Russian market via trade route, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

According to details, NLC’s 16 trucks carrying kinnow from Sargodha region reached Russian border point in Darbant and Grozny, the capital of Chechnya in Russia.

NLC vehicles covered 6000km distances while crossing from three neighboring countries. It is pertinent to mention due to unviability of cold chain system, 4o percent of Pakistani fruits are used to rot before reaching the market.

A reception ceremony was arranged at Darbant on Russian border which was attended by Russian and Pakistani officials and traders. On the occasion Russian officials hailed Pakistani authorities for launching this initiative. NLC’s initiatives aimed at promoting bilateral trade between both countries.  NLC has also delivered bananas, meat and seafood to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and China in the past.

Kinnow industry was facing challenges and was on the verge of collapse, with a projected 50 percent decline in exports and the closure of 50 percent of processing plants.