Pakistan to display mangoes in London

KARACHI: A two-week show is displaying Pakistani mangoes, at the world famous departmental store in Central London from June 7 which will provide a unique opportunity for the shoppers to tickle their taste buds.

The show at Harrods was jointly organised by the Pakistan High Commission and the Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company. Pakistan is the fifth largest producer and the third largest exporter of mango in the world and exports 80% of its produce every year.

Many varieties of mangoes are exported from late April to late August. Last year, Pakistan exported 130,000 ton mangoes to various parts of the world and the United Kingdom remained among its main markets. Pakistani mango is famous for its varieties with distinct flavours,aroma and colours.

To name few Anwar Retol, Dasehri, Langra, Chaunsaand Sindhri are popular world wide.

The country's rich, fertile soils and perfect climatic conditionsenable production of good quality, fresh mango over a period of aboutseven months. Different varieties span over summer season beginningas early as late April.

For instance Sindhri is available from June to August, with itslemon-yellow skin tone, an oblong oval shape Sindhri is known forsweetness and smooth-textured flesh and a pleasantly aromatic taste.Mango fruit contains 10 to 20% sugar and is a good source of vitamin C and B. Proteins and minerals such as Iron, Calcium andPhosphorous.

This is the first time Pakistan's mango is being commercially exported to the U.K market at Harrods. The store has recently changed hands with its previous owner Egyptian tycoon Muhammad Al-Fayed selling it for 1.5 billion pounds sterling to a Qatari company. Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK Wajid Shamsul Hasan willinaugurate the event.