Exporting Mangoes and Fresh Fruit From Pakistan

Pakistani mangoes — Sindhri, Chaunsa, Anwar Ratol, and others — are loved by consumers worldwide, especially by South Asian communities abroad. Kinnow and other citrus are also major exports. But fresh fruit is one of the most demanding export categories: it is perishable, subject to strict plant health rules, and dependent on an unbroken cold chain.

Varieties and Seasons

• Mangoes: the season runs roughly from late spring through summer, with different varieties peaking at different times — early varieties from Sindh, and later varieties like Chaunsa from Punjab.
• Kinnow (mandarin): a winter crop, exported to markets in the Gulf, Central Asia, Russia, and Southeast Asia.
• Other fruits: dates, guava, and others in smaller volumes.

Plan your marketing and buyer conversations well before the season starts.

Market Access Protocols

Many countries only allow fresh fruit imports from origins and facilities that meet agreed protocols. Requirements may include:

• Registered orchards and pack houses
• Pest monitoring programmes
• Specific post-harvest treatments
• Pre-clearance inspections
• Phytosanitary certificates with specific additional declarations

Check whether market access exists for your fruit and destination before approaching buyers.

Treatments

Depending on the market, mangoes may need:

• Hot water treatment: immersing fruit in hot water for a set time to control fruit fly — used for some markets, including requirements in Europe for fruit fly risks
• Vapour heat treatment: heating fruit with saturated air — required by some Asian markets
• Irradiation: used for mango exports to the US under agreed programmes

Treatment facilities must be approved for the relevant market. See phytosanitary certificate guide.

Quality and Grading

Buyers specify size, weight, colour, ripeness, and freedom from defects like sap burn, bruising, and disease. Harvest at the correct maturity, handle gently, and grade carefully. Sap burn from improper de-sapping is a common quality problem for mangoes.

Cold Chain

Fresh fruit must be kept at the right temperature from harvest to the retail shelf:

• Pre-cooling after harvest to remove field heat
• Refrigerated storage at the pack house
• Refrigerated trucks to the airport or port
• Reefer containers for sea freight, set to the correct temperature and ventilation — see shipping container types

Temperature breaks shorten shelf life and increase rejections.

Air Freight vs Sea Freight

• Air freight: fast, suitable for premium markets like the UK and Europe, but costly — see sea freight vs air freight
• Sea freight: cheaper, possible to the Gulf and some other markets with controlled atmosphere and careful ripeness management

Packaging

• Ventilated corrugated cartons, often 2–6 kg for mangoes
• Protective netting or trays to prevent bruising
• Labels with variety, grade, size, pack house, and origin
• Traceability codes for orchards and pack houses

Managing Risk in a Perishable Trade

Fresh fruit leaves little room for error. Reduce risk by:

• Agreeing quality specifications and inspection points in writing before the season
• Using recognised inspection at loading, with photos and temperature records
• Clarifying who bears the risk if fruit arrives over-ripe or damaged
• Securing payment terms that suit perishable goods — advance or secure terms with new buyers
• Starting with smaller trial shipments to new buyers or new markets

Finding Buyers

• Importers and wholesalers serving South Asian communities in the UK, Europe, the Gulf, and North America
• Supermarkets — typically requiring GlobalG.A.P. certification and strict traceability
• Online retailers selling direct to consumers during the season
• Food trade fairs and trade delegations

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Pakistan's mango export season?

The season runs roughly from late spring through summer, with different varieties maturing at different times.

What treatment do mangoes need for export?

It depends on the destination. Treatments include hot water treatment, vapour heat treatment, and irradiation, carried out at facilities approved for the relevant market.

Do supermarkets require certification for fresh fruit?

Many supermarkets require GlobalG.A.P. or similar good agricultural practice certification, along with traceability and food safety standards at pack houses.