An exhibition of Pakistani mangoes was organized by the Commercial Wing of the Embassy of Pakistan on Thursday, June 25th, 2009 at Hilton Hotel, Rotterdam. A sizeable number of wholesalers, importers and retailers of fresh fruits and vegetables participated in the Exhibition.

In the exhibition, there were seven varieties of Pakistani mangoes on display and available for tasting. The displayed varieties included Chaunsa, Sindhri, Dusehri, Langra, Saleh Bhai, Sunehra and Anwar Retol. All the varieties were available for tasting along with the different delicacies prepared from mango which included Mango Milk Shake, Mango Lassi (drinking yogurt), Mango Ice Cream, Mango Pulp and Mango Juice.

Besides a display of mangoes set up by the Embassy of Pakistan, the major wholesalers/distributors of Pakistani mangoes based in the Netherlands showcased Pakistani mangoes in the exhibition. The exhibitors included Super Toko Asian Food Centre Den Haag, Pak Asian Impex Amsterdam and AZ Enterprises ’s-Gravendeel. The trade visitors included a large number of wholesalers, distributors, importers, retailers and chain stores dealing in fresh fruits and vegetables.

Pakistani mango is known as the “King of Fruits” and is famous for its appealing colour, enticing aroma and delicious taste and is generally regarded in Europe as one of the most delicious fruits in the category of exotics.  There is a growing demand and consumption of Pakistani mangoes in the Netherlands.

The objectives of organizing the mango exhibition by the Embassy were to introduce Pakistani mangoes to the buying managers of the leading wholesalers and retail chains in the Netherlands and to match-make Pakistani suppliers with the existing and potential importers of mangoes. Netherlands is the largest distribution hub of fresh fruits and vegetables in Europe and the exhibition was aimed at showcasing Pakistani mango as an exotic fruit to the major importers and distributors which are mainly clustered in the area around Rotterdam. The sale of Pakistani mango has been consistently growing in the Netherlands and the exotic fruit is fast becoming popular with the mainstream consumer.

The exhibition was organized by the Embassy on self-help basis by generating all the financial and other resources locally. A large number of retailers of fruits and vegetables including the ethnic cash and carry stores of Pakistani, Indian, Bengali, Sri Lankan, Moroccan, Turkish, Surinamese and Chinese expatriate communities participated in the exhibition.

Besides the trade visitors, the representatives from the diplomatic corps also expressed keen interest in the exhibition. A number of diplomats including the ambassadors of China, India, Sri Lanka and Turkey visited the exhibition. They appreciated the luscious taste of mangoes.

The exhibition was also opened for the families and general public for a specific time. A large number of families especially the prominent expatriates visited the exhibition.

Due to the tremendous success of the mango exhibition, the Embassy has decided to organize the exhibition as an annual event. The next edition of the mango exhibition will be held in the last week of June 2010.