PHDEC hosted a pivotal seminar on “The Dynamics of Vegetable Exports: Procedures, Quality Control & Value Chain” at the IAS auditorium, University of the Punjab, Lahore. The session addressed Pakistan’s surge in vegetable exports—reaching 1.126 million metric tons valued at $430 million in the FY ending June 2024—and the growing need for compliance with international standards.
Key discussions included the challenges of food safety (SPS measures), traceability, agro-chemical residues, Good Agricultural Practices, and quarantine treatments to reduce post-harvest issues. Experts from the Department of Plant Protection, Punjab Agriculture Department, and the Department of Horticulture (Punjab University) provided insights on best practices and strategies to tackle these barriers.
Primary objective was to train exporters, growers, and farm managers on export protocols and agronomic standards, while also strengthening linkages with stakeholders for enhanced product development and market access.
The event saw active participation from growers, exporters, R&D professionals, and academia, all of whom appreciated PHDEC’s initiative in addressing critical quality control and value chain topics essential for maintaining and growing Pakistan’s position in global vegetable markets.
