SUMMER may be the worst season of the year, but it is undoubtedly the best season to strengthen friendships, not to mention PR. Everybody in Pakistan is aware of the fact that the only tried and tested way to win friends and clients is through mangoes, and mangoes only. If you want to win the affection of a disgruntled dear friend or an important client, just call him to a mango party or send a crate of mangoes to him and he will remain ‘yours mangofully’ — I mean, ‘yours faithfully’-- for the whole year. Mango lovers are found all over the country, but I’m not aware of any kind of club formed by them.
If ever there is a mango fan club in Pakistan, the man to preside over it should be none other than Mehmood Hussain, the chief of airport cargo terminal. A man of precise tastes and habits, I’ve found it hard to detect even an ounce of irrationality in his style and method, that is, if he is buying mangoes. Not only is each mango thoroughly checked, but its pedigree is also confirmed before keeping them in packets in order to weigh them. And when it comes to eating this fruit, he is fussier than a Japanese taking his tea.
It is not odd to see a man going about his job with strict mathematical precision, especially if he is confronted with the challenging task of handling the intricate logistics of cargo business at the county’s biggest and busiest airport. But this scientific precision, when applied to the task of mango preservation and transportation, becomes somewhat unique. This cargo terminal, undoubtedly the only of its kind in the country, is primarily catering to the need of exporting all kinds of perishable items as these cannot be transported by sea or road. And the way mangoes are handled at this place is something to be seen.
Pakistan is proud to be one of the leading producers and exporters of the king of fruits, mango. During the last fiscal year we exported mangoes worth $23.462 million and this year we expect to surpass the target achieved last year. In fact, this year an effort has also been made to create awareness among the growers and exporters about the various aspects of quality and standard which include packing, grading, waxing and good presentation of the mangoes. This will help a great deal not only in increasing the export, but also in exploring new markets.
The way things are moving the current fiscal year may register Pakistan as the biggest mango exporter, primarily because of the keen interest taken by the exporters and the proper guidance of the Export Promotion Bureau, and secondly because the CAA is there to facilitate the shipment in a grand manner.
Even within Pakistan mango, without any doubt, is the most popular and most-loved fruit. About hundred varieties of this fruit are known to exist in Pakistan. But the most popular export varieties — all different in colours and size and each with a distinct flavour and taste — include Anwar Retol, Dasehri, Langra, Chaunsa, Sindhri, Saharni, Fazli and Neelam. These are grown in Punjab and Sindh and are available from May to September. Mango shows and mango parties are not only very common in Pakistan during the summer season, but are often arranged in style.
In Pakistan, mangoes are mostly eaten chilled. If you are in hurry, a bath of cold water, for the mangoes of course, is just what you need. Besides enhancing the flavour of Pakistani mangoes chilling is believed to be helpful in neutralizing the ‘heat’ inside this fruit. On the other hand, mangoes have more carotenoids than other fruits which help in warding off colds and reducing the risk of cancer and heart diseases. Pakistani mangoes are high in fibre and contain a small amount of carbohydrates, calcium, iron, potassium and a little protein. Probably that is the reason that you find mango-lovers in good health and spirit.
Mangoes are thought to be the native to the areas of Pakistan and India, which are being cultivated for more than 4,000 years. Each mango tree produces over 100 mangoes. Grown in the orchards of Sindh and Punjab, our mangoes have a sweet fruity aroma, which are not found in the mangoes grown in any country other than Pakistan and India. That is why our mangoes are very popular even in North America, Europe and the Middle East. At present, over 200 tons of mangoes are exported daily from CAA cargo terminal, which is 30 per cent more than the last year’s daily shipment figure. On the other hand there is so much demand from the mango importing countries that local exporters are not getting required cargo space on the airlines.
SUMMER may be the worst season of the year, but it is undoubtedly the best season to strengthen friendships, not to mention PR. Everybody in Pakistan is aware of the fact that the only tried and tested way to win friends and clients is through mangoes, and mangoes only. If you want to win the affection of a disgruntled dear friend or an important client, just call him to a mango party or send a crate of mangoes to him and he will remain ‘yours mangofully’ — I mean, ‘yours faithfully’-- for the whole year. Mango lovers are found all over the country, but I’m not aware of any kind of club formed by them.
The way things are moving the current fiscal year may register Pakistan as the biggest mango exporter, primarily because of the keen interest taken by the exporters and the proper guidance of the Export Promotion Bureau, and secondly because the CAA is there to facilitate the shipment in a grand manner.
