Pakistani mangoes are more expensive in the UAE this summer, but that has done little to slow demand as shoppers continue to buy the country’s most-loved fruit despite tighter supplies and rising freight costs. Retailers say the delayed start to Pakistan’s mango season, lower crop volumes and higher transportation expenses have pushed prices up by around 20% compared to last year, yet customers remain eager to enjoy premium varieties such as Sindhri, Chaunsa and Anwar Ratol.
Prices Rise as Supply Tightens
Retailers across the UAE say Pakistani mangoes have become noticeably more expensive this season.
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Gul Raiz Yaseen, Director of Pakistan Supermarket LLC, said demand has continued to grow every year, with customers from different nationalities increasingly choosing Pakistani mangoes for their rich flavour and quality.
At Pakistan Supermarket, a 3kg to 3.5kg box of Sindhri mangoes that previously sold for around Dh40 to Dh45 is now priced at about Dh50. Premium varieties such as Chaunsa and Anwar Ratol, which sold for around Dh60 to Dh65 last year, now cost approximately Dh70 per box.
Yaseen said the increase is mainly due to higher air freight costs. Cargo charges have climbed from around PKR350 per kilogram to nearly PKR500, significantly increasing import costs.
Delayed Season Affects Availability
According to Brian Ballinger, Head of Commercial at Choithrams, Pakistan’s mango season started later than usual this year, beginning in the first week of June.
He said overall crop production is down by around 20% to 30%, leaving shoppers with fewer mangoes on supermarket shelves. Although sea shipments have resumed, premium-quality fruit is still being imported by air, keeping prices elevated.
Ballinger added that shoppers may notice tighter availability throughout the season, although demand has remained strong despite the delayed harvest.
Why Shoppers Still Prefer Pakistani Mangoes
Despite the higher prices, retailers say customers continue to buy Pakistani mangoes because of their unique taste and limited seasonal availability.
Pakistani mangoes are available for only about two months each year, making them a highly anticipated summer fruit among UAE residents.
Popular varieties include:
- Sindhri, known for its large size, sweetness and rich aroma.
- Chaunsa, famous for its soft, fibreless flesh and exceptionally sweet flavour.
- Anwar Ratol, a smaller variety prized for its intense sweetness and smooth texture.
Yaseen said each variety offers a different flavour profile, encouraging customers to return throughout the season.
At Choithrams, Sindhri remains the best-selling Pakistani mango, followed closely by Chaunsa.
Shipping Disruptions Pushed Costs Higher
Importers say logistics challenges were one of the biggest reasons behind this year’s price increases.
Ali Akram, Managing Partner at Nahel Vegetables & Fruits Trading LLC, said the mango season started around 10 to 15 days later than usual after shipping companies temporarily stopped accepting cargo bookings.
As a result, many importers were forced to rely on expensive air freight.
At the beginning of the season, a 5kg box of Sindhri mangoes that sold for Dh35 to Dh36 last year reached Dh70 to Dh75, almost doubling in price.
Although ocean freight has now resumed and accounts for about 99% of shipments, prices remain above last year’s levels.
Longer Journeys Affect Fruit Quality
Shipping delays have also affected fruit quality.
Akram explained that mangoes are highly sensitive to heat and long transit times. Previously, shipments from Pakistan reached the UAE within three to five days. This year, vessels were rerouted through ports such as Fujairah and Khor Fakkan before reaching Jebel Ali, making delivery schedules unpredictable.
Some shipments have taken 15 to 20 days to arrive, increasing the risk of spoilage before reaching supermarket shelves.
Retailers Adapt to Maintain Supply
Retailers have adjusted their sourcing strategies to keep mangoes available despite disruptions.
Instead of waiting for specific varieties, importers are purchasing whichever premium-quality mangoes become available.
Meanwhile, grocery platform Careem Quik said long-term partnerships with suppliers have helped maintain steady supplies despite global logistics challenges.
The company also relies on sourcing produce from several countries, reducing dependence on any single market while ensuring customers continue to find mangoes in stock.
Demand Remains Strong
Despite higher prices and limited supply, retailers say demand has not weakened.
Akram said Pakistani mangoes have a loyal customer base among Pakistani and Indian expatriates, while increasing numbers of other nationalities are also buying the fruit.
Unlike apples or bananas, which are available throughout the year, Pakistani mangoes have a short season, encouraging shoppers to buy them before they disappear from the market.
Retailers expect demand to remain strong for the rest of the season, although they hope freight costs ease next year to make the fruit more affordable for consumers.
Also Read: UAE Mango Season Begins with Higher Prices as Demand Surges
