Estimation Of Competitiveness Of Sudanese Mango Fruits Exports To Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia During The Period 2010- 2012

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to evaluate the competitiveness and to identify the comparative advantages of Sudanese mango exports and determination of the causes that lead to the fluctuations of mango exports during the period (2010- 2012) and suggesting recommendations and strategies to improve the performance of this sector which can play an important role in Sudan’s economy. The study used primary data collected from some exporters in this field beside the secondary data which were collected from the related sources such as ministries, government bodies and FAO annual reports. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and Policy Matrix Analysis (PAM) method. The main findings of the study were that; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (K. S. A.) was the largest importing country. There was a competitive advantage for the Sudanese mango but, economic profitability was greater than financial profitability this was due to direct and indirect taxes imposed on mango exports. The study found that the main causes of fluctuation of export are:

- Increase of the export costs, absence of extension and training programmes for mango growers especially in production, harvesting, grading, sorting and packaging phases. There is no process of preparation, cleaning, grading and waxing. This leads to variation in size and ripeness of fruits in one package.

- There are many departments related to horticultural export, the interaction between them with respect to information and other export promotion services is minimal leading to confusion among the exporters.

- Instability of policies had limited export expansion.

- Bad roads, unsuitable trucks from farms to export collection centers reduce marketing value and increase rate of crop waste.

- Export by air saves time but it is faced by many problems such as; export is mainly through passengers' aeroplanes permitting limited quantities.