Pakistan recently achieved a significant milestone by successfully exporting its first-ever cherry consignment to China via the Gilgit-Baltistan region.
Despite the region producing approximately 5,000 tonnes of cherries per season, local markets often witness these prized fruits being sold at low prices. However, with the recent protocol established with China, growers in Gilgit-Baltistan can now tap into the lucrative Chinese market demand.
Efforts to export cherries to China have been ongoing since 2016, but technical obstacles and a lack of agreement had hindered progress.
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China, a major importer of cherries, primarily sources its supply from countries like Chile, with an annual demand reaching approximately 350,000 tonnes valued at a staggering $3 billion.
