Business Recorder
LAHORE: Participants of a webinar organized by the Pakistan Horticulture Development & Export Company (PHDEC) have stressed the need for arranging Business-to-Business (B2B) meetings between Pakistani exporters and international buyers to enhance garlic exports and strengthen the country’s presence in global markets. The webinar, titled “Post-Harvest Management Strategies to Improve Quality for Garlic Export Enhancement,” was organized to promote modern post-harvest practices, improve export quality standards, and explore value-added opportunities for Pakistani garlic. The event brought together growers, exporters, researchers, academia, and other stakeholders from the horticulture sector. Participants observed that along with improving production and post-harvest management, direct engagement between exporters and foreign buyers was essential to expand export opportunities, identify market requirements, and improve international market access for Pakistani garlic. Speaking on the occasion, Muhammad Ismael, Senior Scientific Officer at Agricultural Research Station (ARS) Swabi delivered a detailed presentation on garlic production, post-harvest handling, and export quality enhancement practices. He discussed major garlic varieties cultivated in Pakistan and highlighted “Ema Queen,” an improved variety developed by ARS Swabi, noting its adaptability, quality characteristics, higher yield potential, and suitability for commercial cultivation and export purposes. He emphasized the importance of harvesting garlic at the proper maturity stage and explained best practices related to harvesting, cleaning, handling, and transportation to minimize physical damage and reduce post-harvest losses. Ismael also shared detailed guidance on curing and drying techniques required for producing export-quality garlic with improved shelf life, reduced moisture content, and better appearance. He said proper curing helps prevent fungal infections, preserve bulb quality, and improve storage performance. He further highlighted international standards for sorting, grading, and packaging of garlic for export markets, stressing that size uniformity, quality inspection, and standardized packaging were critical for securing better prices and acceptance in international markets. During the webinar, he also presented a project focused on the development, standardization, and commercialization of value-added garlic products aimed at reducing post-harvest losses and increasing income opportunities for farming communities. The project explores opportunities for garlic paste, dehydrated garlic powder, and other processed garlic products to promote value addition and strengthen Pakistan’s garlic export sector. Participants appreciated the technical information shared during the webinar and called for practical training sessions and stronger coordination with agriculture extension departments to improve the overall garlic value chain and export competitiveness of the country. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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