Pakistan's mangoes hit the UAE markets
Pakistan's first mango shipment arrived in Dubai from Karachi on Thursday 26 May. Two varieties, t…Pakistan's first mango shipment arrived in Dubai from Karachi on Thursday 26 May. Two varieties, the Sindhri and Almas were exported.
According to the importers, the mangoes sold out within two days of their arrival.
With the advent of summer, Indian mangoes Kaser, Rajaputri, Dasheri, Badami and premier brand Alphonso have already captured the fruit shelves of major supermarkets in the UAE.
After Sindhri, Dasheri, Anwar Ratol, Chaunsa and Kala Chaunsa dominate in the UAE until September.
During the three-month mango season Dubai-based traders import 2.5 million crates through more than 130 ship trips. A crate of Pakistani mangoes weighing eight-10kg comes for Dh25-30 in the wholesale market.
UAE-based traders imported Pakistani mangoes worth 6 million with an approximate share of 32 per cent in the total Pakistani mango exports in 2014.
In 2015, export of Pakistani mangoes to the UAE and other Gulf countries dropped significantly when the Pakistan government banned the use of wood packaging including crates, boxes and cases for storing fruits and vegetables.
Pakistan's Ministry of National Food Security and Research, said the decision was taken amid considering phytosanitary measures.
Exporters claimed that the sudden ban on wood packaging was the cause of an almost 50 per cent decline in mango exports to the UAE and the GCC countries last year. They said since the orders for wooden crates had already been placed, it was impossible for them to repack mangoes in corrugated cartons without raising the prices and delivering the fruit on time. This year the traders are ready with the corrugated cardboard boxes.
Both Indian and Pakistani mangoes dominate the UAE market with almost a 70 per cent share, while products from Kenya, Sudan and Australia serve the rest of the market.