Pakistan's mango exports shrink as Middle East war impacts linger

Pakistan's prized mangoes face a significantly reduced export market this season, with traders anticipating a drop of at least 30 percent. The lingering impact of the Middle East crisis has dampened demand in crucial Gulf markets and driven up shipping costs, hitting the agriculturally dependent economy hard.

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So many losses have been incurred, the contractors have even left their advance money.

Mohammad Shakeel, an orchard manager in Tando Allahyar, expressed fears that his business would struggle to cover lease costs, noting that some contractors have abandoned their agreements entirely. The "king of fruits," as it's known in South Asia, normally earns Pakistan around $110 million annually, making it the world's fourth-largest exporter. This year's expected reduction of 30,000 tons, bringing total exports to 80,000 tons, underscores the geopolitical vulnerability of Pakistan's economy.

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Almost 80 percent of mango export is to the Gulf region, Iran and Afghanistan.

Waheed Ahmed, Chief Patron of the All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporter Association, highlighted that approximately 80 percent of mango exports go to the Gulf region, Iran, and Afghanistan – all countries currently affected by conflict. The closure of the border with Afghanistan and ongoing instability in Iran further complicate trade.

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The border to Afghanistan is closed, there is war in Iran... there is war in the entire Middle East.

While a preliminary agreement to halt fighting between the United States and Iran was welcomed, its timing is too late for the current mango season. The conflict also disrupts trade routes, with hundreds of trucks stranded at closed crossings to Afghanistan. These challenges compound existing pressures on the agriculture sector from climate change.

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The main challenges still remain.