Pakistani cherry farmers hope for export boom as China welcomes fruit

Islamabad: It is the cherry season in Pakistan’s northern Gilgit-Baltistan region where farmers are preparing to harvest bright red cherries and send them off to markets. This year, the cherry farmers anticipate doubling their incomes and profits as China has indicated opening its doors to importing cherries for the first time from Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), which shares borders with China. A 14-member Chinese business delegation visited GB where they signed multiple memorandums of understanding (MoUs) this week to facilitate cherry trade. The delegation assessed the local cherry production, and inspected cherry orchards, packing units, and cold storage facilities, aiming to explore the potential of importing cherries to Chinese markets. Mohammad Ali Quaid, the special assistant to the GB chief minister, told reporters that the key approval would come from the Chinese quarantine department which is planning a visit to GB to pave the way for exports. The export of cherries from ...