Pakistan is the 5th largest mango producing country of the world and approximately produces 5.86% of world’s mangoes, according to report. The mango season, active from May to August, is centered in Punjab and Sindh, home to the Sindhri and Chaunsa varieties. Despite its global standing, Pakistan exports only 6 to 7% of its mango production, facing challenges in production, processing, transportation, and compliance with international standards.
Mango is a tropical fruit that grows on extremely large trees that reach over 100 feet in height and 12 feet in diameter. The fruit itself is considered a stone fruit due to its single pit. Mangoes can come in a variety of colors, including orange, red, green, and yellow. This fruit is native to India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan and related to sumac and poison ivy. Its importance to humans dates back to around 2000 BC when it was domesticated in India. After domestication, the mango was introduced to East Asia between 500 and 400 BC. By the 15th century, it had made its way to the Philippines, followed by Africa and Brazil in the 16th century. Akbar, a Mughal emperor, planted over 100,000 mango trees in a place now known as Lakhi Bagh in India.
Today, mango trees can be found in a number of tropical climates. It holds a prominent position in horticultural productivity of Pakistan. Mango is popularly known as “King of fruits”. It is the national fruit of Pakistan and 2nd most important fruit crop after citrus in terms of area under cultivation and production. Pakistani mangoes are internationally famous for their sweetness, juiciness, nutrition and unique flavor. They are consumed as fresh fruits and processed to develop value added products such as jams, pickles, juices, nectars, squashes, jams, jellies, pulp, concentrates etc. Pakistan produces about 1.8 million tons of mangoes.
The main production areas are Sindh and Punjab. Many varieties are produced in the country viz; Chounsa, Sindhri, Langra, Anwar Ratool, Dusehri, Fajri, Bangan Pali, Saroli and several others. The mango season in Pakistan extends for five months starting from mid-May in Sindh to late September in Punjab. In terms of production Pakistan is rated as a 5th top producing country and 7th top exporting country of mango. The top export markets of Pakistani mangoes are Kazakhstan, UAE, UK, Uzbekistan and Oman and European Union.
According to a report published in a local newspaper, the country exported about 66,000 tons of mangoes in 2017, earning about PKR 5.9 billion. In 2018, the figure rose slightly to 77,000 tons. It is important to mention the yearly mango export from Pakistan is just a fraction of the total yield. This year, production declined due to pests and climate issues, yet the country continues to meet domestic demand and export. The majority of exports, about 75%, target GCC countries via sea, air, and land. Efforts to improve air shipment logistics are in progress to maintain quality and competitive pricing.
While enhancing branding and packaging is vital for competing internationally. Unlike Mexico and India, Pakistani mangoes lack a strong global brand, affecting their pricing abroad. Streamlining regulatory compliance and export procedures is also crucial for smoother market access. Similarly, strategic initiatives aim to strengthen marketing, upgrade processing facilities, and explore new markets in Europe, Africa, Iran, and China. These efforts are expected to diversify export destinations and support the sector’s sustainable growth. With targeted efforts to address challenges and seize opportunities, Pakistan aims to boost its mango exports, contributing to economic growth and its global trade footprint.
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