Pakistan’s mango export target cut to 80,000 tonnes as freight costs, Middle East tensions hit shipments

Pakistan’s mango export target has been reduced to 80,000 tonnes this year from 100,000 tonnes last year as exporters face higher freight costs, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, climate-related crop losses and lower fruit yields.

The first shipment of Pakistani mangoes left for international markets on Monday, marking the start of what industry stakeholders described as one of the most difficult export seasons in recent years.

Exporters said regional instability had disrupted access to key Gulf markets, which remain the largest destination for Pakistani mangoes.

Waheed Ahmed, Patron-in-Chief of the Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association (PFVA), said exporters were facing logistical and financial pressures because of rising freight charges and instability in the region.

This year’s mango crop is expected to be around 20% lower than Pakistan’s average annual production of 1.9 million tonnes.

Pakistan earned $110 million from mango exports last season, while proceeds this year are projected between $75 million and $80 million.

Industry stakeholders attributed the decline to climate change, erratic weather patterns and weak disease resistance in existing orchards.

The lower export target is also expected to reduce foreign exchange earnings from mango shipments.