US – PAKISKTAN PARTNERSHIP FOR AGRICULTURAL MARKET DEVELOPMENT

(AMD)

Request for EOI to Participate in Two Controlled Sea Shipments of Fresh Mangos FROM Sindh & Punjab under Controlled Atmosphere Technology (CA) to Extend Shelf Life

The USAID AMD Project is seeking Expression of Interest (EOI) from interested mango exporters associated with the USAID mango grader initiative to partner with AMD in conducting commercial shipments of Pakistani mangos to Europe under managed atmosphere environment technology using non-dedicated refrigerated sea containers.

Background

Pakistan is a leading producer of fresh mango in the world but with limited exports due to the combination of Pakistan’s proximity to higher paying markets and the short shelf life of the fruit. Building on previous USAID supported projects; AMD proposes to introduce Controlled Atmosphere (CA) via refrigerated sea containers. Through this innovative technology and cold chain management, the shelf life of mango fruit has been shown to increase by 25% (Kader, 2002). As fresh fruits and vegetables respire, they consume oxygen and produce carbon dioxide, water, and heat. One of the main keys to maintaining produce quality is the successful management of respiration, where cooler temperatures slow respiration and therefore maintain freshness.

Ethylene is involved in fruit ripening and if properly managed can provide benefits to quality attributes of fresh produce. However, if managed incorrectly the technology may result in spoilage and product loss. Managed conveyance systems & tools help extend the shelf life of mangos and manage product quality by regulating the biosphere temperature, i.e., relative humidity (RH %), ethylene, oxygen at a minimal limit to restrict the respiration rate, carbon dioxide at extended levels to suppress the respiration rate, and the most innovative approach in this system is the induction of ozone (O3) as a strong oxidizer and with multiple beneficial effects on fresh produce. Ozone oxidizes plant and food borne illness pathogens resulting in less spoilage and contamination. Ozone also oxidizes ethylene, reducing ripening and senescence. Ozone generated at a contact rate of 40 ppb reduced ethylene concentrations from 1.5 – 2 ppm to undetectable levels (Skog & Chu, 2001).

Details of the Proposal

The AMD Project proposes to conduct 2 sea-shipments of selected mango varieties through a collaboration/cost share mechanism, whereby the AMD Project will be assisting in the following;

  1. freight expenses of shipping two refrigerated sea containers utilizing the Controlled Atmosphere (CA) technology from the identified partner’s packing house to the designated international buyer’s receiving facility (TBD);
  2. Technical assistance to oversee the sorting, grading, packing, of the product to be shipped under CA conditions along with the handling and loading of the sea container.

It is important that the product going into these shipments be approved by a third party to eliminate quality variables of shipment. Inspection upon arrival at the receiving point will be provided by the AMD program through the presence of the third party consultant or marine surveyor. The interested partner will provide the export quality mangos, graded and packed for export, along with the operational expenses and other export costs such as package material, palletizing, insurance, labor, and export documentation. All export documentation and export requirements including invoicing, phyto-sanitary certificates, and relevant dutieswill be the responsibility of the partner. All proceeds from the sale of the mangos goes to the partner.

Please note that this assistance is NOT confirmed and will be subject to the availability of project funds, approval by USAID and an in-house assessment of the readiness of the farm that is interested in participating. The in-house assessment will be done by AMD to determine eligibility in terms of readiness, fruit quality and related sanitary and phytosanitry parameters at site. For this purpose, a questionnaire is attached with this email that must be submitted by interested farmer(s) to Procurement specialist at by no later than COB Monday July 25, 2016. This questionnaire will be used as criteria for selection of potential recipients of this assistance.

Finalization of the shipment assistance details will be made after receiving your responses, determining readiness of shipment preparation, internal analysis on viability of undertaking this shipment in terms of project goals and targets, availability of funds and approval by USAID.

Proposed time line for the two shipments is now through Mid-August 2016, Please feel free to contact Dr. Waqar Ahmad for any further clarity in this regard.

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Selection criterion for Export readiness of shipment of Mangoes FROM Sindh & Punjab 2016

Farm Name / Mango variety available for export / International Buyer confirmed / Packaging material available (strapping boxes, inserts, pallets, corners) / DPP Approval (provided PHC & PUC codes) / Global GAP certification / Planned date for shipment

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