Enhancing Vegetable Exports from Pakistan to the UK
Abstract
This Experiential Learning Project (ELP), conducted in collaboration with Maersk Pakistan, aims to improve Pakistan’s export performance for four high-risk vegetables—okra, red chilli, green chilli, and bitter gourd—by addressing frequent UK port rejections caused by regulatory non-compliance. The project focuses on designing a pre-export quality control model that meets DEFRA (UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) standards, with testing conducted at third-party ISO 17025-certified labs in Rotterdam or Vietnam.
Key deliverables include:
(i) Detailed feasibility studies for each of the selected vegetables (okra, red chilli, green chilli, and bitter gourd)
(ii) A proposal formally drafted for DEFRA’s approval to initiate a pilot program
(iii) A financial model assessing the long-term viability of establishing an on-site accredited testing facility in Pakistan
(iv) A final presentation summarizing the entire project
Our research approach combined secondary data analysis, stakeholder interviews, and regulatory review to design a pilot model for third-party off-site testing in Rotterdam or Vietnam. The financial model explored multiple CAPEX scenarios (greenfield and brownfield), breakeven points, and scalability projections. The findings show that the off-site testing model is both feasible and impactful, significantly reducing export rejection rates and supporting long-term agri-trade growth.
The project’s implications extend to food safety, supply chain compliance, and strategic investment in Pakistan’s agricultural export sector. Key contributors include Concave Agri (agri-tech and farmer digitization), Control Union(lab testing infrastructure), and the Ministry of Commerce, Pakistan. The resulting proposal is both commercially viable and strategically transformative, positioning Pakistan to build long-term agri-trade credibility with the UK and beyond.
