Pakistani Mango Production Dips Amid Adverse Weather Conditions

According to a report by Indian news outlet Deccan Herald, Pakistan’s annual mango production is approximately 1.8 million metric tons, with Punjab and Sindh provinces accounting for 70% and 29% of the total, respectively. Sheraz Maqsood, one of the largest fruit farmers in Khanewal, Punjab province, said that this year’s mango production in Punjab has decreased by 30–35% owing to various factors including climate change, while Sindh has witnessed a 20% decline.

Pakistani mangos are renowned for their rich variety, high quality and excellent flavor, making them one of the country’s key fruit exports. The main overseas destinations include China, the United States, Turkey, Japan, Iran, Afghanistan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Central Asian countries. The All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers, and Merchants Association has set this season’s mango export target at 100,000 metric tons, corresponding to an estimated export value of about $90 million. However, the association has expressed concerns that this target may not be achievable.

Climate change has had a marked impact on many regions of Pakistan. Winters are lasting longer and there have been increases in rainfall, thunderstorms and flash floods, while summers are starting later but becoming hotter. These changes in seasonal patterns have reportedly had noticeable effects on the cultivation of fruits and vegetables. Representatives from Pakistan’s mango industry, including farmers and exporters, have expressed their concerns, stating that these conditions will not only decrease mango production but also lead to a drop in foreign exchange earnings. They also claimed that authorities have not taken any measures to mitigate these losses. Besides climate change, the industry is facing additional challenges due to substantial increases in the costs of electricity, natural gas, transportation and orchard maintenance, making competition on the global market even more difficult.

According to Saleem Waheed Ahmed, the head of the association, the mango industry and exporters typically begin the export process around May 20 each year. However, this year, climate change and other issues have caused a delay in exports once again.

In Karachi, Pakistan’s most populous city, Ali Zia, the owner of a major mango export company, explained that for the past two years shipments had fallen short of the export targets by approximately 25,000 metric tons each year. Because of climate change, he estimated that this year’s production shortfall may soar to 600,000 metric tons, although he noted that this estimate may change as the season progresses.

Although Pakistan is permitted to export mangos to China, export volumes have remained disappointing. According to data from China Customs, Pakistan exported only 37.42 metric tons of fresh and dried mangos to China in 2021, with this figure dropping to 23.95 metric tons the following year. In 2023, the export volume recovered to 43.3 metric tons yet still accounted for only 0.39% of China’s total mango imports. This year’s significant drop in production is expected to pose substantial challenges to Pakistan’s mango export efforts.

Image: Pixabay

This article was translated from Chinese. Read the original article.