By Roy Lie Atjam
The grounds of Pakistan House in The Hague set the stage for the Pakistan Mango Festival 2025, an event dedicated to showcasing the appeal of the ‘King of Fruits’ and promoting Pakistan’s mango heritage to guests.
Mangoes (Mangifera indica), known as amram are a delicious tropical fruit originating from the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
There are in excess of two thousand varieties. Some premium Pakistan varieties are the Chaunsa and the Anwar Ratol.
Mangoes are a seasonal delight, and the experience of enjoying a perfectly ripe and juicy mango each year is celebrated at the festival. The event emphasizes mangoes’ role in cultural diplomacy.
Pakistani mangoes are exported to many parts of the world, as of today, also to Istanbul- Turkey. The Consulate General of Pakistan in Istanbul organized the event “King of Fruits, Pakistani Mango” in the city to promote the country’s signature fruit, the mango, on 16 August 2025.
In The Hague, H.E. Syed Haider Shah, Ambassador of Pakistan to the Netherlands, Pakistan Mango Festival 2025. In part, this is what he said:
“ It gives me immense pleasure to welcome you all this evening to the Pakistan Mango Festival 2025. Today, we gather not only to celebrate a fruit that is fondly called the “King of Fruits”, but also to cherish the bonds of friendship and cultural connection between Pakistan and the Netherlands.
Pakistan and the Netherlands share a strong and evolving partnership. The Netherlands is among Pakistan’s top trading partners in the European Union, with our bilateral trade crossing the 2 billion Euro mark in recent years. Pakistan exports a diverse range of products to the Netherlands – from textiles and apparel, rice, fruits and vegetables, to sports goods, surgical instruments, and IT services. Dutch companies, in turn, have made significant investments in Pakistan in agriculture, dairy, renewable energy, and technology, contributing to our shared prosperity. This robust trade and investment relationship is a testament to the trust and complementarity between our economies.
Today, however, we showcase something uniquely close to the heart of every Pakistani – our mangoes. Pakistan is among the largest producers of mangoes in the world. We produce approximately 2 million metric tons of mangoes annually over an area of around 170,000 hectares, primarily in the provinces of Punjab and Sindh. Pakistan is a significant exporter of mangoes, with exports averaging 150,000 metric tons annually to over 50 countries worldwide. Europe is one of the key export destinations, with countries like the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France being primary importers.
Each summer, over a hundred varieties of mangoes ripen across the fertile plains of the Indus Valley, bringing with them centuries of tradition, flavor, and pride. Each variety has its own story, its own region, and its own loyal following. It is renowned worldwide for its unique flavor, aroma, and rich texture. From the golden Sindhri to the luscious Chaunsa and the delightful Anwar Ratol, our mangoes represent the diversity and richness of Pakistan’s agricultural heritage. The mangoes we are tasting today, are from Chaunsa family.
Mango diplomacy is a tradition for us – every summer, Pakistani mangoes are shared with friends across the world as a gesture of goodwill, friendship, and cultural pride. This evening, as you taste these mangoes, I hope you will discover not just their sweetness, but also a flavor of Pakistan itself – a land of diversity, resilience, and hospitality.
Today is also about building bridges – between our people, our businesses, and our futures. The Netherlands has world-leading expertise in agriculture, food security, water management, and sustainable technologies. Pakistan, with its vast market and youthful population, offers immense opportunities for Dutch companies to grow and invest. Together, we can create partnerships that are not only commercially rewarding but also socially meaningful.
I thank you all for joining us today and for your continued friendship with Pakistan. May our partnership continue to flourish and may the sweetness of Pakistani mangoes remind us of the warmth of our ties.”
All attendees left the 2025 Pakistani mango fete with a personal box of delicious mangos.
