As mango season has started, producers from Pakistan are ready to export the product to the international market. However, there now is a special focus on the Iranian market; a close neighbor of the country. Of course, Pakistan is the fourth largest mango producer in the world and the second-largest mango exporter in the world. Producers of the fruit hope to increase exports abroad, especially Iran.
Exports of mango as a tropical fruit to Pakistan typically begin in late May, at the same time as the harvest season begins. Pakistan earned more than $94 million from the export of this tropical fruit between 2014 and 2016.
In addition to the Islamic Republic of Iran, Canada, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Japan, South Korea, China, and European countries are major importers of Pakistani mangoes.
Patron-in-Chief of Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association (PFVA), Waheed Ahmad said that producers exported 20,000 tons of mangoes to Iran last year despite the challenge of the coronavirus outbreak and this year too they are eyeing the Iranian market for the development of trade ties between the two states.
“The export of 18,000 tons of mango to Iran is very desirable and promising compared to previous years, and we are pleased that Iran is a popular destination for Pakistani mango,” Waheed Ahmad told dailytimes.com.pk. “This year, we plan to export 150,000 tons of mangos to different countries and we are confident that at the same time, exports to Iran will increase as compared to 2020.”