Pakistan’s mango season has entered markets later than usual this year, with industry estimates pointing to a nearly 20 percent drop in production due to weather-related damage and rising concerns over exports.

Industry stakeholders said unusual weather during the flowering stage affected crop development, bringing expected national mango production down to around 1.5 million tonnes, compared with nearly 1.8 million tonnes last year. The total area under cultivation, however, remained largely unchanged at around 160,000 hectares.

The season was also delayed by cooler and wetter conditions during March and April. Harvesting for local markets, which typically begins in late April, only started in the first week of May this year. Export shipments are now expected to begin on June 1 instead of around May 20.

Early-producing districts in Sindh, including Mirpurkhas, Tando Allahyar, and Hyderabad, have reported average yields. In contrast, major mango-growing areas in Punjab such as Rahim Yar Khan, Multan, Muzaffargarh, and Shujaabad are witnessing noticeably lower output.

Exporters warned that regional tensions, border disruptions, and higher freight costs could further affect overseas shipments during the season. Trade routes to Afghanistan remain disrupted due to prolonged border closures, while tensions around the Strait of Hormuz have increased shipping costs and reduced vessel availability.

Shoaib Ahmad Basra, Managing Director of National Fruit Pakistan, said exporters are also facing uncertainty in air cargo operations because the country relies heavily on Middle Eastern airlines to ship mangoes to Europe and the United Kingdom.

He said lower flight frequency and limited cargo space are making export planning more difficult. Despite the smaller crop, exporters do not expect a major rise in international prices, as demand in Pakistan’s traditional regional markets has weakened.