MANGO TREES – آم – FRUIT TREES

Mangoes herald the onset of summer in Pakistan, celebrated for their aromatic sweetness and vibrant hues. Known globally as the ‘King of Fruits,’ mangoes are a major agricultural export, with demand spanning continents.

Mangoes arrive in early May and linger until September’s end, thriving primarily in Sindh and Punjab. Pakistan ranks fourth globally in mango production, yielding approximately 1.8 million tons annually, with a modest 6% earmarked for export. This tropical delight is also Pakistan’s national fruit.

Here’s a glimpse into the mango’s nutritional benefits, including its richness in vitamins A, B5, B6, C, E, and K, alongside essential minerals like copper, folate, potassium, magnesium, and manganese. Mangoes boast antioxidants and immunity-boosting properties, contributing to eye health, respiratory health, cancer prevention, and bone strength. They aid digestion, reduce hypertension risks, and enhance skin and hair health.

Pakistan boasts an array of mango varieties, numbering around 400, with notable types like Sindhri, Chaunsa, Anwar Ratol, and Langra cherished worldwide. These varieties vary in size, typically 2 to 10 inches long, weighing between 8 and 24 ounces. Pakistani mangoes are distinctively yellow, kidney-shaped, and less fibrous than their global counterparts, owing to cultivation with soft water and natural fertilizers.

Mango production spans key regions: Punjab (including Multan, Bahawalpur, and Rahim Yar Khan), Sindh (Mirpur Khas and Hyderabad), and pockets of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan. Sindh, with its earlier warmth, cultivates early-season mangoes, complemented by Punjab’s late varieties that extend the market season and bolster exports.

In 2018, Pakistan exported 77,000 tons of mangoes, valued at PKR 5.9 billion, with expectations to export 100,000 tons this year, contributing approximately USD 80 million to the economy. The United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Afghanistan, and China lead in mango imports from Pakistan, driven by the fruit’s exceptional taste and aroma.

Join the global fascination with Pakistani mangoes—what’s your favorite variety?