Pakistani mangoes sweeten China ties, eye $2bn export boost

Pakistani mangoes are taking center stage in the country’s diplomacy and trade, with officials saying the fruit has the potential to boost exports to China to over $2 billion annually.

The “king of fruits” was featured prominently at the China-Eurasia Expo in Urumqi, held from June 26 to 30. Pakistan showcased its mangoes and other products, including jewelry, leather, and textiles, in a dedicated pavilion inaugurated by Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, Khalil Hashmi, and Xinjiang Vice Chairman Zhou Lifan.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, Khalil Hashmi, and Xinjiang Vice Chairman Zhou Lifan.Courtesy: Pakistan Embassy

Director General of the Green Pakistan Initiative and Strategic Projects, Major General (retd) Shahid Nazir, led the Pakistani delegation. In an interview with Nukta at the Expo, he said Pakistan exported $300 million worth of mangoes to China in 2024.

“With value addition, Pakistani mangoes can earn over $2 billion annually,” he said.

Nazir noted that Chinese companies are keen on investing in Pakistan’s dehydrated mango sector, which allows longer shelf life. He added that Pakistan is currently exporting mangoes to Cambodia and Vietnam, which are then re-exported to China, increasing costs.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, Khalil Hashmi, at the Pakistan pavilion at China-Eurasia Expo in Urumqi.Courtesy: Pakistan Embassy

“If mangoes are processed and shipped directly from Pakistan, Chinese companies will benefit from reduced costs,” he said.

China is one of the world’s largest importers of food, bringing in $300 billion worth annually. Nazir said Pakistan can tap into this market not only with mangoes but also with other products like pink salt, provided it adopts the necessary technologies.

Diplomatic fruit

Pakistani mangoes have also been used as tools of diplomacy. In recent years, Islamabad has gifted crates of the fruit to leaders in Turkey, India, and Kyrgyzstan.

In 2023, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif sent mangoes to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. In 2020, President Arif Alvi gifted them to Kyrgyz leaders. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also sent mangoes to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and others in 2015.

Pakistani mangoes at the Expo in Urumqi.Nukta

At the Expo in Urumqi, visitors sampled mangoes for free at the Pakistani pavilion. Chinese officials and attendees praised their flavor and quality.

Security reassurances

Nazir also addressed concerns about Chinese citizens’ safety in Pakistan. He said the government had taken comprehensive steps to ensure their protection.

“No incident involving Chinese nationals has occurred in the last three to four months,” he said, adding that a Special Security Division protects Chinese workers, especially along the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) route.

Security measures, he said, are being implemented from the federal level down to local councils.

Strengthening trade ties

Ambassador Hashmi used the Expo to highlight Pakistan’s trade ambitions with China and the Xinjiang region. He briefed Vice Chairman Zhou on the quality of Pakistani exports and the functioning of the National Logistics Corporation (NLC), which aims to streamline border operations.

The Expo also marked the first-time participation of both the Green Pakistan Initiative and NLC, signaling Islamabad’s broader push to deepen economic links with China.

Hashmi also met Xinjiang officials, business leaders, and media, and visited the Urumqi branch of Habib Bank Limited.

Pakistan hopes that by combining its agricultural strengths, particularly in mangoes, with improved logistics and security, it can carve out a larger share of China’s lucrative import market.