PRODUCATION AND CONSUMPTION

Kinnow is a hybrid of two citrus cultivars; "King" and "Willow Leaf" and is classified as Kinnow mandarin. It was introduced from California to the Punjab Agricultural College and Research Institute, Lyallpur (now University of Agriculture, Faisalabad) in the sub-continent in 1943-44. This "easy peel" citrus has assumed special economic importance and export demand being acknowledged for its high juice content, special flavour, and as a rich source of vitamin C. In per capita terms, the annual availability of citrus is nearly 12.5 kg of which kinnow makes up about 8 kg. A consumption of 8 kg per capita implies the availability of 1206 milligrams of vitamin-c, 1520 milligrams of calcium, 684 milligrams of phosphorous and nearly 16 milligrams of iron, per head during the citrus production season. In the citrus production season, kinnow consumption can make a significant contribution to improve human diet in terms of total micronutrient intake.
Most of the target export markets of Pakistani kinnow are those of developing countries. Only 2.6 per cent of kinnow exports target markets of developed countries, which is due to the emerging demand for seedless kinnow by the developed countries. About 61 per cent of total world exports of oranges and mandarins are of seedless varieties. Unfortunately, Pakistan is not producing seedless kinnow, due to which its target markets are limited and mostly confined to Middle East countries. Some important export markets for kinnow are: Bahrain, Dubai, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Malaysia.