Pakistan mango exports have made impressive strides, earning $46.7 million in the current financial year, as reported by the Ministry of Commerce. The report, presented before the National Assembly, highlighted the widespread demand for Pakistani mangoes, with exports reaching at least 42 countries globally, totaling 13,681 metric tons.
The Ministry of Commerce revealed that the United Kingdom emerged as the top importer of Pakistani mangoes, purchasing $13.2 million worth of the sweet tropical fruit, followed closely by the UAE at $9.2 million. Other significant importers of Pakistani mangoes included Germany, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar. Specifically, Germany imported $1.9 million worth of Pakistani mangoes, Oman $1.7 million, and Saudi Arabia $1.3 million. Additionally, $2.2 million worth of Pakistani mangoes were exported to Afghanistan. Collectively, exports to these countries contributed $4.4 million to Pakistan’s earnings.
Earlier this year, the All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association (APFVEA) expressed concerns about meeting export targets due to the adverse effects of climate change. Mian Waheed Ahmed, the patron-in-chief of APFVEA, emphasized that climate change poses a significant threat to the production of Pakistani mangoes, with the impact evident in the third consecutive year of declining output.
Pakistan produces 1.8 million metric tons of mangoes annually, with 70% of production concentrated in Punjab, 29% in Sindh, and 1% in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, due to climate change, mango production in Punjab decreased by 35% to 40%, and in Sindh, it dropped by less than 20%, leading to a feared reduction of 600,000 metric tons in total production.
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In a July interview, Mian Waheed Ahmed noted that unpredictable weather patterns, including extended winters, unseasonal rains, hailstorms, and a severe heatwave, have altered the agricultural disease landscape, affecting the production of Pakistani mangoes this season.