For the first time, Pakistani mangoes will be transported to Xinjiang, China using a land route. Sadequain Shipping Line, a logistics company based in Karachi, is leading this initiative. They have previously shipped seafood from Karachi to Kashgar in China via land, which has given them the confidence to proceed with exporting mangoes.
The mangoes will be transported from Multan, a major mango-producing city, to Tashkurgan using the Karakoram Highway. From there, the mangoes will be distributed to different cities in Xinjiang. Refrigerated containers will be used during transportation to maintain a controlled temperature between -20 to 25 degrees Celsius.
The journey from Multan to Tashkurgan is expected to take around six days, including customs clearance time in Sost and Tashkurgan. Apart from mangoes, cherries from Gilgit-Baltistan are also planned for export to Xinjiang.
Sadequain Shipping Line intends to expand its operations to other parts of China, particularly Guangzhou and Shenzhen. The company’s CEO, Tayyab Khan, will visit China next week to discuss the new route with potential partners.
This development is significant for trade between Pakistan and China as it strengthens their economic relations and opens up new business opportunities.