Aiming at increasing its exports of mango fruit, Pakistan has geared efforts to adopting international standards, including hot-water technology and stringent quality control measures during several stages of the production, processing, packing and export of this delicious fruit, which is popularly called ‘king of fruits.’

According to Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association (PFVA), the authorities have informed PFVA that the export of mangoes to the European Union (EU) would not be allowed without hot-water treatment this year. Before clearing any shipment for export, the Quarantine Department would inspect and satisfy itself about the application of hot-water treatment to mangoes. This step is being taken to forestall the possibility of any ban on export of mango fruit to the EU countries. Recently, the EU has put a ban on five variants of the fruit from India after detecting pest in the Indian mangoes.

At present, there are 12 hot-water treatment plants operational in Pakistan -- nine in Punjab and three in Karachi. Hot-water treatment is one of the three major treatments for mangoes. The other two are VHT and irradiation treatments.

Hot-water technology and processing by mechanical plants has increased the shelf life of the mango fruit up to 40 days by making the pulp of the fruit free from nine bacteria elements. Increase in shelf life of the fruit, it is believed, would help in increasing the export of Pakistani mangoes, earning more foreign exchange for the country and becoming instrumental in the expansion of its agro-based sector.

Pakistan has some of the sweetest mangoes in the world. With a total production of over 1.80 million tonnes, globally Pakistan is the sixth largest producer of mango fruit. However, its exports of the fruit are relatively low compared to the country’s actual potential. Pakistan exported 150,000 tonnes of mango last year, earning about $55 million in foreign exchange. In 2012, Pakistan exported 118,000 tonnes mangoes for $36 million.

The EU has appeared as one of major markets for Pakistani mangoes. Last year, Pakistan exported 24,000 tonnes of mangoes to the EU, which accounted for 16 per cent of its total exports.

These figures show that though the export of this fruit is rising, it still remains less than 10 per cent of the country’s total production. The export of the mango fruit from Pakistan commences in June and ends in October every year; while the target for export is usually set in the first week of May for each calendar year.

Globally, the USA, EU and the Netherlands figure among the top three mango importing destinations, and their imports stand around 297,499 metric tonnes, 228,864 and 127,659 metric tonnes respectively. Brazil and Peru meet some 99 per cent of the demand for mangoes in the USA. Other leading importers of the fruit are UK 55,797 metric tonnes, Germany 51,865 metric tonnes, Saudi Arabia 99,069 metric tonnes, France 32, 211 metric tonnes, UAE 56,150 metric tonnes, Japan 11,669 metric tonnes, Belgium 20,834 metric tonnes, and Portugal 16,231 metric tonnes.

The flesh of mango is peach-like and juicy. It is rich in sugar and acid. The mango fruit has best flavour if allowed to ripen on the tree. When ripe, the fruit is entirely pale green or yellow marked with red. The quality of the fruit is based on taste and scarcity of fiber. Pakistan is the house of some fine varieties of mangoes, which are known for their good aroma, excellent taste and almost total absence of fiber content.

Among over 150 varieties of mango fruit produced in Pakistan, the choicest varieties are: Samar Bahisht (Paradise’s fruit), Fajree, Chaunsa, Super Langra, Shan-e-Khuda (God’s magnificence), Anwar Ratol, Lahoti, Ratool, Sindhri, Alfanso, Dusehri, Roosi Dulhan (Russian bride), Lab-e-Mashooq (darling’s lips), Lab-e-Habshi (Negroe’s lips), Shaheed-e-Zam Zam and Tota Pari. Some other varieties include: Kala Pahar (black mountain), Gulab-e-Khas (special rose), Saleh Bhai, Al-Khausa, Neelum, Baigan Phelli, Seroli and Batasha. Amongst these, Chaunsa and Sindhri have great potential for hitting the US and EU supermarkets.

Till recently, Pakistan’s focus has remained limited to exporting mangoes to the United Kingdom and some Middle Eastern countries. In the last three years, Pakistan has discovered new markets and exported its mangoes to a couple of new countries, including China, Jordan, Mauritius, South Korea, Japan and Lebanon. In addition to trial shipment of mango fruit to Australia, mango shows were also organised in Malaysia and Singapore last year.

To meet international standards and reduce the threat of pests, experts in the private sector recommend that the government should make it compulsory for the growers to hang fruit fly catchers in their farms, and also use sprays and other biological methods.

In the entire South Asia Subcontinent, people relish mangoes and nostalgically refer to it as the ‘king of fruits.’ In fact, the fondness for mangoes in the South Asia is deep-rooted, and as old as the history of human civilization. No section or community, including the royalty, the elite, the intellectuals, the men of letters, is immune from craving for this highly nutritious fruit. One and all relish mangoes. It also finds mention in the Punjabi, Sindhi and Hindi folklore.

The rich folk hold mangoes as a good dessert; while it constitutes an integral part of the diet of villagers during the summer and monsoon seasons in Pakistan. People who go out for picnics during the monsoon season never forget to carry some mangoes with them. On such occasions, the youth also hold mango-eating contests. In short, in Pakistan, as in many other regions of the world, people greatly relish the fruit and its products.

Mangoes not only sweeten the economy and dining table in a variety of ways, they also provide jobs to millions of people from farms to export houses. From the early stages till it ripens, mango is processed into pickles (Achar, Chatney and Murabba), jams, jellies, nectars, juice, syrups and mango pudding and it involves millions of people, including growers, transporters, retailers, vendors, juice and ice-cream makers and exporters, throughout Pakistan. Taste-wise, it is one of the best fruits, which provides dozens of tastes and attracts people of all ages -- from tiny tots to the aged people bordering 100. (The last three paragraphs are reproduced from an earlier article by the author).