Khorfakkan Mango Festival Sees 40% Rise in Participation

The fifth edition of the Khorfakkan Mango Festival officially opened on Saturday in Khorfakkan, marking a significant milestone with a 40 percent increase in participation compared to last year's event.

Organised by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) in cooperation with the Municipal Council of Khorfakkan, Khorfakkan City Municipality, and Expo Khorfakkan, the festival will continue until Sunday evening under the theme "Mango: Our Fruit, Our Wealth."

55 Farmers and International Delegations Join the Festival

This year's festival features 55 farmers from across the UAE, along with leading agricultural and fertilisation companies and productive families. The event has also attracted official delegations from Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait, as well as participants from Uganda, highlighting its expanding regional and international presence.

To accommodate the growing number of exhibitors, organisers increased the exhibition space by 70 percent, providing more display areas for visitors and participants.

Senior Officials Attend Opening Ceremony

The festival was inaugurated by Abdallah Sultan Al Owais in the presence of Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment; Salem Ali Al Muhairi; Dr. Muhammad Abdullah Al-Murr Alnaqbi; Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI; Khalfan Saleh Al Harethi Al Naqbi; Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi; Khalil Al-Mansouri; and several senior government officials, farmers, and agricultural stakeholders.

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During the opening ceremony, sponsors and supporting organisations were honoured for their continued contribution to the success of the annual festival.

More Than 150 Mango Varieties on Display

Visitors explored an exhibition featuring more than 150 varieties of locally grown mangoes, along with citrus fruits and other seasonal produce from the Eastern Region. The exhibition also showcased value-added mango products, innovative mango-processing industries, and agricultural displays.

A dedicated productive families pavilion offered locally made food products, traditional dishes, and handcrafted items, providing additional opportunities for local entrepreneurs.

Festival Supports UAE Food Security Goals

Abdallah Sultan Al Owais said the Khorfakkan Mango Festival has become an important economic and cultural platform that reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to strengthen agricultural investment as a key part of the UAE's food security strategy.

He stated that SCCI considers agriculture a strategic sector that supports economic diversification and contributes to GDP growth. According to him, the festival promotes agricultural development while encouraging tourism and commercial activity in Khorfakkan and the Eastern Region. He added that the initiative also supports the UAE National Food Security Strategy 2051 by improving farmers' marketing opportunities and encouraging the use of modern agricultural technologies.

Visitor Numbers Expected to Increase

Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi said the previous edition welcomed around 35,000 visitors. He added that this year's festival has recorded a 40 percent increase in participating farmers and a 70 percent expansion in exhibition space.

He described the festival as a comprehensive marketing platform that enables farmers to connect directly with consumers and said SCCI remains committed to supporting sustainable agriculture through specialised workshops and guidance programmes.

Free Exhibition Stands for Emirati Farmers

Khalil Al-Mansouri said Emirati farmers from across the UAE are provided with fully equipped exhibition stands free of charge. The festival also supports home-based agricultural initiatives.

He explained that mangoes account for nearly 80 percent of the displayed produce, while citrus fruits, bananas, and other seasonal crops make up the remaining exhibits.

Al-Mansouri added that the event encourages younger generations to learn about agricultural heritage through educational activities and competitions while promoting entrepreneurship in mango-based food processing industries. He also acknowledged the support of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and the Sharjah Department of Agriculture and Livestock.

Five Competitions Highlight This Year's Festival

The 2026 festival includes five competitions offering cash prizes to encourage excellence in local agricultural production.

The opening day featured the Mango Mazayna (Most Beautiful Mango) Competition, the Largest Mango Competition, and the Best Mango Basket Competition for families.

On Sunday, the programme continues with the Mango Beauty Competition for children aged seven to 15 from the Eastern Region, along with the Best Innovative Idea or Mango-Based Project Competition, which encourages innovation and value-added industries linked to mango cultivation.

Cultural Activities and Family Entertainment

Supported by Al Sharqiya Kalba TV as the official media partner, the festival welcomes visitors on Sunday from 4:30 pm until 10:00 pm.

Alongside agricultural competitions and direct sales of premium mangoes and seedlings, visitors can enjoy cultural performances, heritage activities, agricultural workshops, daily prize draws, and entertainment programmes designed for families and children.