Pakistan Stresses Importance of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Regulations in Agro-Trade

Strategic Insights -

Pakistan's Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, has reaffirmed the country's commitment to adhering to Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) regulations, citing them as a crucial aspect of international trade in agro-products. The Minister emphasized that these regulations are not merely formalities, but rather a safeguard for food safety, public health, and biosecurity. To ensure SPS compliance, the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) has implemented various reforms across key sectors, including rice, maize, citrus, and mango. The measures include staff postings at exit points, engagement of reputable PSI firms, and the installation of CCTV cameras to bolster the phytosanitary certification system.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pakistan's Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, prioritizes compliance with Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) regulations as a cardinal principle of international trade in agro-products.
  • The Department of Plant Protection (DPP) has introduced reforms in several sectors, including rice, maize, citrus, and mango, to ensure SPS compliance.
  • específ Staff were posted at exit points, reputable PSI firms were engaged, and CCTV cameras were installed to strengthen the phytosanitary certification system.
  • The government has implemented measures to prevent malpractice, such as reshuffling staff and requiring photographic proof of staff with consignments.
  • In May 2025, the DPP, in collaboration with Pakistan Customs, intercepted a major violation at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, seizing three mango consignments totaling 6.2 metric tons valued at USD 25,649.
  • The violators, M/s Pak Punjab International, M/s Sajjad and Co., and M/s Kamran Enterprises, attempted to bypass SPS requirements, including Hot Water Treatment (HWT), sourcing from registered orchards, pesticide residue analysis, and correct HS code declaration.
  • As a result of these interventions, Pakistan successfully exported around 120,000 metric tons of mangoes in the 2025 season without a single rejection or interception reported from any country.
  • The Minister condemned the illegal attempt, declaring that it poses a risk to Pakistan's entire export window to Europe and stressed the need for zero tolerance for such elements.
  • Customs confiscated the non-compliant consignments and imposed penalties, while the DPP restrained the violators from future exports for a specified period.

Statistics:

  • 120,000 metric tons: Total quantity of mangoes exported in the 2025 season.
  • USD 25,649: Value of the seized mango consignments.
  • 6.2 metric tons: Total quantity of mangoes seized by the DPP in collaboration with Pakistan Customs.
  • 3: Number of consignments seized from exporters M/s Pak Punjab International, M/s Sajjad and Co., and M/s Kamran Enterprises.

Sources:

  • Press Information Department, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad (no date)
  • Press Release: "Pakistan Stresses Importance of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Regulations in Agro-Trade" (no date)
  • Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Pakistan (no date)
  • Pakistan Customs (no date)
  • Department of Plant Protection, Ministry of National Food Security and Research, Pakistan (no date)