KARACHI: Pakistan’s mango exports are expected to decline sharply this season as the economic fallout from the Middle East conflict continues to disrupt trade routes, increase shipping costs and weaken demand in key overseas markets, industry officials said.
Exporters estimate overseas shipments will fall by at least 30% this year, with total exports projected at around 80,000 tonnes, down from approximately 110,000 tonnes last season. Industry representatives attribute the decline to regional instability, border disruptions and soaring freight charges.
Pakistan, the world’s fourth-largest mango exporter, typically earns around $110 million annually from international mango sales. The fruit is one of the country’s most important horticultural exports, with Gulf countries accounting for a significant share of overseas demand.
The impact of the conflict has been particularly severe for exporters reliant on markets in the Gulf region, Iran and Afghanistan. Industry officials said ongoing instability and border closures have disrupted traditional trade channels, while uncertainty surrounding regional security has reduced commercial activity.
Exporters also reported a sharp rise in transportation costs. According to industry estimates, the cost of shipping a 25-tonne container has increased several-fold compared with last year, significantly eroding profit margins for traders and growers.
In the mango-growing districts of Sindh, growers said the reduced export demand has added financial pressure during the harvest season. Some orchard contractors have reportedly withdrawn from agreements after facing mounting losses and uncertainty over sales prospects.
Domestic markets have also failed to absorb the expected surplus. While mango prices have fallen compared with previous years, traders say many households are limiting discretionary spending as inflationary pressures linked to the regional crisis continue to affect consumers.
Industry representatives welcomed recent diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions in the Middle East but cautioned that any improvement is unlikely to significantly benefit the current mango season, which is already underway and lasts only a few months.
The challenges facing Pakistan’s mango industry highlight the broader economic vulnerability of the country’s agriculture sector, which is increasingly exposed to both geopolitical disruptions and climate-related risks affecting production and trade.