Pakistan is striving to increase market access to major markets like China and Turkey while strengthening trade relations with Japan, the United States, South Korea, and Australia. However, due to climate change and water resource shortages, Pakistan's mango production continues to decline, with total production potentially decreasing by up to 20% this year, possibly dropping to 1.4 million tons. Additionally, tensions with India have driven up shipping costs, and due to the India-Pakistan route interruption in 2024, some exports have been forced to take detours, increasing transportation costs by 15%.
Pakistan is the world's 5th largest mango exporter, with export volumes stable at 120,000-130,000 tons annually over the past decade, with export earnings of $90 million in 2024. Its primary markets are the UAE, United Kingdom, United States, Iran, and Afghanistan, with the UAE serving as a transit hub handling approximately 30% of exports.
China, the world's largest mango consumer, imported 83,200 tons in 2022, but Pakistani mangoes accounted for only 0.39%. To change this situation, Pakistan has taken multiple measures: in 2023, over 6,000 tons of mangoes were air-shipped to China, primarily for processing; simultaneously, the second phase of the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (FTA) included mangoes in the duty-free list, further reducing trade barriers.
Pakistan's mango industry is deeply rooted in Punjab and Sindh provinces. These two provinces account for 99% of national production, with Punjab leading at 70%. Punjab's Chaunsa variety is renowned for its honey-like aroma and delicate flesh, while Sindh's Sindhri is known for its sweetness and juiciness, both being highly sought after in Middle Eastern and European markets. Beyond these core production areas, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has recently been attempting to expand cultivation. The region is more suitable for drought-resistant varieties like Anwar Ratol, which are small but extremely sweet.
The National Agricultural Research Center (NARC) of Pakistan, in collaboration with China, has introduced pest-resistant new varieties and optimized post-harvest processing techniques. Through heat treatment and cold chain transportation, mango shelf life has been