New market for Gilgit-Baltistan cherries, Pakistan: first shipments to China

10 Jun 2024
2301

With a Chinese market worth 3 billion dollars and an annual demand of about 350,000 tons of cherries, this development is set to revolutionize the agricultural landscape for cherry growers in Gilgit-Baltistan.

On June 5, the first shipment of six tons of fresh cherries was sent to China in a reefer container, announced the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP).

This important milestone marks the beginning of a promising export relationship between Pakistan and China, facilitated by the phytosanitary agreement signed between the two countries in 2022. This agreement granted China access to the Pakistani market for the export of fresh cherries, opening up a new opportunity for local growers.

With a Chinese market worth 3 billion dollars and an annual demand of about 350,000 tons of cherries, this development is set to revolutionize the agricultural landscape for cherry growers in Gilgit-Baltistan. The region, known for its high-quality cherries, will greatly benefit from this new export avenue.

Over 100 cherry orchards, along with a cold storage and a packing center in Rahimabad, Gilgit, are now registered with the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC). This registration ensures that the cherries meet the stringent quality and safety standards required by the Chinese market, thereby guaranteeing the best prices for Pakistani farmers.

According to the Department of Agriculture of Gilgit-Baltistan, the region produces about 5,000 tons of cherries per season. The new access to the Chinese market is expected to significantly boost this production, as more farmers will adopt advanced agricultural practices and improve cultivation techniques to meet the high demand.

The CEO of TDAP, Zubair Motiwala, expressed optimism about the future of cherry exports from Pakistan. “The growers will be the main beneficiaries of cherry exports,” he stated, highlighting the efforts of TDAP and PHDEC to fully capitalize on the vast Chinese market, which has a population of 1.2 billion people. This development not only promises increased income for farmers but also positions Pakistan as a key player in the global cherry market."

Source: Pamir Times
Image: SL Fruit Service


Cherry Times - All rights reserved

What to read next

API and transparency: Hapag-Lloyd introduces new technology for transporting cherries

Post-harvest​

21 Jan 2025

The introduction of Hapag-Lloyd Live in the 2024 season was a demonstration of global teamwork. Engineers and logisticians in Chile and Germany worked hand in hand with the Digital Container Shipping Association to bring this state-of-the-art system to life.

Sour cherry breeding in Poland: insights from an ongoing evolution

Breeding Production

01 Nov 2023

Among the cultivars produced by the Institute of Horticulture and Breeding are Wilen, Wilga, Lucyna, Wanda, Koral and Kolia. These new selections demonstrate the Polish institutes' commitment to new solutions that guarantee quality sour cherry production.

In evidenza

Meizao cherries: 30 μm LDPE MAP packaging extends shelf life in China

08 Oct 2025

A Chinese study shows how 30 μm LDPE (PE30) film extends Meizao cherries' shelf life up to 60 days. It reduces spoilage and preserves nutritional quality, texture and appearance, offering an effective, scalable packaging solution for Chinese producers, retailers and distributors.

SmartCherry and iAgro: digital innovation for IGP cherries in Tuscany, Italy

Tech management

08 Oct 2025

SmartCherry is the innovative project bringing precision agriculture to IGP cherry orchards in Tuscany, Italy. With the iAgro app, farmers reduce costs and environmental impact using biometric data, predictive models and smartphone-based decision support.

Tag Popolari