Post by : Mumtaaz
Qadiri
Photo: Instagram/@piyushgoyalofficial
In a move to make Indian mangoes more popular around the world, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under India’s Ministry of Commerce & Industry, recently organised a Mango Promotion Programme in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
This special event was held to promote India’s premium mango varieties to the people of the UAE and the wider Gulf region. Indian mangoes are known globally for their sweetness, aroma, and wide variety, and the event aimed to introduce them to more international customers.
‘Indian Mango Mania 2025’ Festival Launched in Abu Dhabi
The main highlight of the event was the launch of the ‘Indian Mango Mania 2025’, a unique mango-themed festival held inside LuLu Hypermarket located in Khalidiyah Mall, Abu Dhabi.
This festival brought together many premium Indian mangoes under one roof, allowing customers in the UAE to enjoy mangoes that are mostly available only in Indian markets. The goal of this festival was not only to attract the Indian diaspora living in the Gulf but also to introduce Indian mangoes to people from other cultures and nationalities living in the UAE.
Many Indian Mango Varieties on Display
Several varieties of mangoes were showcased during the promotion, including mangoes with Geographical Indication (GI) tags. A GI tag means the mango is grown in a specific region and has a special identity and quality due to that place’s climate and soil.
The following mango varieties were displayed:
-
Banarasi Langda
-
Dasheri
-
Chausa
-
Sunderja
-
Amrapali
-
Malda
-
Bharat Bhog
-
Prabha Shankar
-
Lakshman Bhog
-
Mahmood Bahar
-
Vrindavani
-
Fasli
-
Mallika
Each of these mangoes is unique in taste, texture, size, and smell. Many visitors were excited to see such a wide collection of mangoes, some of which are not even well-known outside their specific Indian regions.
Opening Ceremony Attended by Indian and UAE Dignitaries
The opening ceremony of the mango festival was held with great enthusiasm. The event was inaugurated by Shri Sunjay Sudhir, the Ambassador of India to the UAE. He was joined by Shri Yusuff Ali M.A., the Chairman of LuLu Group, and Shri Rohit Mishra, who oversees Trade and Investment at the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi.
In his speech, Ambassador Sudhir said, “LuLu Hypermarket plays an important role in showcasing India’s farm products to international customers. I thank APEDA for its efforts to promote Indian mangoes and support farmers. It is exciting to see that mangoes from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh are now reaching homes in the Gulf.”
LuLu Group Supports Indian Farmers and Products
Chairman of LuLu Group, Mr. Yusuff Ali M.A., expressed his happiness in supporting Indian farmers. He said that LuLu will continue to bring Indian products to international markets, including fresh fruits like mangoes.
He also highlighted that the programme was not only a fruit promotion but also a symbol of growing trade relations between India and the Gulf region.
“We are committed to working with Indian farmers and exporters to promote their products. Events like this help strengthen the business connection between India and countries in the Gulf,” said Mr. Ali.
APEDA Chairman Talks About Growing Mango Exports
Shri Abhishek Dev, the Chairman of APEDA, shared more details about how India is increasing mango exports.
He mentioned that mangoes are being airlifted from India to ensure they stay fresh and reach the UAE quickly. This helps reduce spoilage and ensures that customers receive high-quality fruit.
“We are working to help Indian farmers get better prices by connecting them to global markets. Exporting mangoes directly to UAE is one way we are achieving that,” said Mr. Dev.
Mango Dishes Add More Flavour to the Event
Visitors at the event also got to enjoy many mango-based food items prepared by expert chefs. These dishes showed how mangoes can be used in both traditional and modern cooking.
Some popular food items at the event included:
-
Mango cakes, pastries, and Swiss rolls
-
Mango doughnuts and mango lassi
-
Mango smoothies and mango ice cream
-
Mango pulao (a sweet rice dish)
-
Mango fish curry (a coastal delicacy)
-
Mambazha payasam (a sweet dish from South India)
-
Mango pickles and chutneys
-
New fusion items like mango sushi and mango-stuffed chicken
These items gave visitors a unique chance to taste mangoes in different forms beyond just eating them raw.
Indian Mangoes in High Demand in UAE
India’s mango exports to the UAE are increasing every year. In 2024, India exported over 12,000 metric tons of mangoes to the UAE, worth around USD 20 million.
This shows how popular Indian mangoes are in the UAE and how much demand there is in the region, especially among Indians living abroad who miss the taste of their native fruits.
What’s Next? APEDA’s Continued Support for Exporters
APEDA has promised to continue its support for Indian farmers, FPOs (Farmer Producer Organizations), and exporters. It will work closely with retail chains like LuLu to bring more Indian fruits and vegetables to international markets.
The goal is to give Indian farmers more opportunities to earn better incomes by connecting them with buyers from other countries.
“Promoting Indian mangoes is just one example. We are also working on promoting other Indian farm products like bananas, millets, and organic foods,” said an APEDA spokesperson.
English
