Summer in the Gulf: India’s celebration of mango exports reaches Abu Dhabi

Banarasi Langda, Dasheri, Chausa, Sunderja, Amrapali, Malda, Bharat Bhog, Prabha Shankar, Lakshman Bhog, Mahmood Bahar, Vrindavani, Fasli, and Mallika—these were among the notable Indian mangoes on display in Abu Dhabi. The United Arab Emirates is the biggest importer of mangoes from India, and the onset of summer in the region brings with it fruits from the tropics.

 

In an effort to bring global fame to GI-tagged and regional varieties of mango from India, the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry joined hands with the Indian embassy in the UAE and the Lulu group to launch an in-store mango festival, ‘Indian Mango Mania 2025’.

 

The campaign, under the purview of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), coincided with the mango season in the Middle East, as international consumers and the Indian diaspora in the region would have the opportunity to taste a unique variety of Indian fruits.

 

“India’s finest mangoes conquer UAE markets,” posted Union Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal on X, “Our farmers and exporters are tasting the sweet success of their hard work with surging demand from global markets.”

 

The campaign was inaugurated at Lulu Hypermarket, Khalidiyah Mall, Abu Dhabi, by the Ambassador of India to the UAE, Sunjay Sudhir. Chairman of Lulu Group, Yusuff Ali M.A. was present at the event with Counsellor (Trade & Investment), Embassy of India, Rohit Mishra and Deputy General Manager of APEDA, Dr C.B. Singh.

 

“Through this festival, the freshness and richness of Indian mangoes, especially from states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, and the Eastern region, will reach households across the Gulf,” Ambassador Sudhir said.

 

According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the UAE imported over 12,000MT of mangoes, worth around $20 million, from India. APEDA, which falls under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has been aggressively pushing for the export of premium horticultural produce, such as mangoes, to more trade partners and countries.

 

“This initiative not only celebrates India’s mango diversity but also generates significant export opportunities for Indian growers and supports the farming community,” APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev pitched in, via a message from India.

 

The latest promotion of the Indian varieties of mangoes also saw a curated selection of mango-based dishes. These included bakery and dessert items such as mango pastries, doughnuts, macaroons, mango bread, and cakes, as well as traditional Indian dishes like mambazha payasam, mango pulao, mango fish curry, mango chutney, and mango kichdi.

 

The event also heroed various pickles and preserves (mango-dates pickle, garlic mango pickle, Kashmiri-style pickles), and beverages like fresh mango juices, smoothies.

Middle East