Pakistan’s Mango Production Falls 20% as Season Arrives Late

Pakistan’s mango season has entered markets later than usual this year, with industry estimates showing nearly a 20 percent decline in production amid weather-related damage and growing export concerns.

Industry stakeholders said unusual weather conditions during the flowering stage affected crop development, reducing expected national mango production to around 1.5 million tonnes compared with nearly 1.8 million tonnes last year. However, the total cultivation area remained largely unchanged at around 160,000 hectares.

The season also faced delays because of cooler and wetter weather during March and April. Harvesting for local markets, which typically begins in late April, only started during the first week of May this year. Export shipments are now expected to begin from June 1 instead of around May 20.

Early producing districts in Sindh, including Mirpurkhas, Tando Allahyar, and Hyderabad, have reported average yields. However, major mango-producing regions in Punjab, including Rahim Yar Khan, Multan, Muzaffargarh, and Shujaabad, are witnessing noticeably lower output.

Exporters warned that regional tensions, border disruptions, and rising freight charges could further hurt overseas shipments during the season. Trade routes to Afghanistan remain disrupted due to prolonged border closures, while tensions around the Strait of Hormuz have increased shipping costs and reduced vessel availability.

Shoaib Ahmad Basra, Managing Director of National Fruit Pakistan, said exporters are also facing uncertainty in air cargo operations because Pakistan largely relies on Middle Eastern airlines for mango exports to Europe and the United Kingdom.

He said reduced flight frequency and limited cargo space are making export planning increasingly difficult for exporters. Despite the lower crop size, exporters do not expect a major increase in international prices because demand in Pakistan’s traditional regional markets has weakened.