Two-day mango festival opens in Lahore | The Express Tribune

LAHORE:

The Punjab Tourism Department inaugurated the much-anticipated Mango Festival 2025 in Lahore showcasing over 50 varieties of Pakistan’s beloved summer fruit.

Held at a local hotel, the two-day event drew large crowds including citizens, tourists, farmers, agricultural experts, students, and professionals from the food and hospitality industry.

The festival offered a vibrant mix of traditional dance, folk music, handicrafts, and a wide array of mango-based dishes, turning the event into a unique celebration of agriculture, culture, and culinary creativity.

The festival was formally opened by Punjab Secretary of Tourism Fareed Ahmad Tarar and Dr Nasir Mehmood, Managing Director of the Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP).

Tarar described the festival not just as a celebration of mangoes but also as a tribute to the hardworking farmers of Punjab and the province’s rich agricultural and cultural heritage.

Dr Mehmood emphasized that the event serves as a platform for promoting tourism, hospitality, and local industries alongside agriculture.

Agricultural expert Rana Asif Hayat Tipu highlighted that five tons of export-quality mangoes were made available at farm-gate prices to address public concerns that high-grade fruit is rarely accessible in retail markets.

He warned, however, that climate change, intense heat, dust storms, and water shortages had severely affected this year’s crop, causing an estimated 40–50% decline in production.

Read: Eat mango at night for these 10 incredible health benefits

Experts noted that Pakistan typically produces around 1.8 million metric tons of mangoes annually, with Punjab contributing 70% of the national output, Sindh 29%, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa about 1%.

Due to adverse weather conditions, 2025’s output is projected to drop to approximately 1.4 million metric tons.

Nonetheless, the government has ambitiously raised the export target to 125,000 metric tons this season, aiming for $100m (approx. PKR 28m) in foreign exchange earnings. Last year, only 13,681 metric tons were exported, generating $46.7m.

Festivalgoers, particularly women and young attendees, expressed excitement over witnessing such a diverse array of mango varieties in one location—something they rarely encounter in local markets. Nimra, a representative of a hospitality group, shared that their stall was focused on teaching attendees how to prepare a variety of mango-based dishes such as cakes, shakes, chutneys, juices, and ice cream, promoting mangoes as a versatile ingredient beyond a simple chilled fruit.

Young artist Sarah Muhammad Hussain and her team displayed mango-themed paintings, capturing the fruit’s vibrant colors and aromatic essence on canvas.

Pakistan cultivates more than 200 mango varieties, about 20 of which are grown commercially and exported globally. These include popular types such as Chaunsa, Sindhri, Neelum, Anwar Ratol, Langra, Dussehri, Began Phali, Gulab Khas, Saroli, and Zafran.

Known for their exceptional taste, aroma, color, and nutritional value, Pakistani mangoes continue to enjoy premium status in international markets, earning them the title “King of Fruits.”

According to TDCP officials, the Mango Festival plays a pivotal role in boosting agri-tourism and cultural exchange while also facilitating direct interaction between growers and exporters—enhancing value chains and market access for local producers.

Previously, twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi revelled in the sweet bliss of mangoes, aptly hailed as the “King of Fruits,” as the juicy delight brings joy to people of all ages in the summer season.

Vibrant displays of mangoes greet shoppers in local markets, with vendors showcasing every kind of mango from the renowned Chaunsa, Sindhri, and Anwar Ratol to the prized Langra, Fajli, and Dusehri.

Every type of variety is readily available.

Mango lovers can relish the sweetness of Chaunsa, the tanginess of Sindhri, or explore other unique flavors, making the twin cities a haven for mango connoisseurs.

As people enjoy the mango season, vendors are working hard to meet the demand. A fruit vendor in Islamabad’s F-6 market, Muhammad Ali, shared that “We are importing mangoes from the best orchards in Sindh and Punjab to ensure top quality and flavour.

He said that Mangoes are flying off the shelves and they are having a great season so far, with Chaunsa and Sindhri being the top sellers.