Pakistan's mango trade with Iran is reportedly under threat, following various interceptions of pest-infected fruit.

Local media Tribune.com.pk claimed phytosanitary certificates had been issued to companies despite their fruit not having received the necessary hot water treatment.

Three of the country's consignments were said to have been intercepted last year, where the fruit was found to be infected with fruit fly. Iran has already banned Pakistan's kinnow imports for the same reason.

Of the total 60,000 metric tons (MT) of mango exports, a quarter are shipped to Iran.

"The DPP [Department of Plant Protection] has recently issued a phyto-sanitary certificate to a Multan-based company named Ramzan Associates for exporting 95 tons of mangoes to Iran without following the due procedure and standard modus operandi," a Ministry of National Food Security and Research source was quoted as saying.

"The certificates were issued without examining if the commodity had undergone the essential hot water treatment or not."

There is reportedly a mandatory product inspection through an expert committee along with hot water treatment at 48°C (118°F) for at least 60 minutes.

The story said the loss of the Iranian market would have serious repercussions for other markets, including the European Union.

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