In the wake of unrest and instability in the Middle East, a sharp decrease has been witnessed in mango exports from Pakistan in the current season.
The prevailing situation in the region has cased disruption in regional trade routes and rising shipping costs.
Being among the world’s leading mango-producing countries, Pakistan is known globally for producing more than two dozen varieties of mango, including popular types such as Sindhri and Chaunsa.
However, exporters now estimate that total shipments could drop by nearly 30 percent compared to the previous season due to weakened demand in key international markets.
One reason is the sharp increase in freight charges, as shipping a container that previously cost around $1,400 has now risen to between $6,000 and $7,000. This surge in logistics costs has made exports less competitive and reduced overall profitability for traders.
Most of Pakistan’s mango exports are directed towards Gulf countries, Iran, and Afghanistan. These regions have been heavily affected by ongoing conflicts and trade disruptions, including border closures and instability in maritime routes, which have further restricted export flows, officials said.
Pakistan’s 80 percent mango exports depend on these affected markets and that’s why any disruption in these regions has a direct and significant impact on overall export performance during the mango season.
In local market, mango supply has also slowdown, despite the fact that mango prices have dropped and excess supply continued. However, consumer demand remains weak as inflation restricted household budgets across the country.
Not only this, some growers have even abandoned contracts, citing rising expenses and falling returns as major challenges. It is worth mentioning here that Pakistan typically earns around $110 million annually from mango exports, making the fruit an important agricultural commodity for the economy of the country.
Read also: Why did Pakistan ban mango exports before June 01
