Punjab Mango Festival 2012

Punjab Mango Festival 2012 was conducted on 15th July 2012 at Serena Hotel Islamabad. This festival was organized by the Punjab Board of Investment & Trade (PBIT) with the collaboration of Agriculture Department of Punjab and the District Government of Rahim Yar Khan. The motive of this festival was to provide access of national mango exporters to the international market. Through this festival, the government of Punjab also introduced the other food items like vegetables and fruits of the province to the world. For this purpose, the government has showcased more than 20 other agri items and other food products in the International Green Week which was conducted in Berlin City (Germany) at the starting of this year. The aim was to introduce Pakistani vetegables and fruits in the European markets.

The Opposition leader in the Senate Mr. Ishaq Dar attended this exhibition. Also, the Vice Chairman of Punjab Board of Investment & Trade Dr. Mufta Ismael, Secretary of Agriculture Punjab Mian Mushtaq, foreign ambassadors and diplomats in Islamabad, mango exporters, traders and buyers and a large quantity of people attended this historical occasion and created a big awareness of Pakistani mangoes. In Pakistan, there are 110 varieties of mangoes grown which was cultivated in different areas of Punjab and Sindh containing Chaunsa, Langra, Doseri, Anwar Retore and Sindhri. All these have been displayed at the exhibition. The government of Punjab is seriously working for the improvement of food, agriculture, livestock, dairy, horticulture and floriculture sectors of Pakistan.

Addressing to the inaugural ceremony of this mango festival, Senator Ishaq Dar said that in spite of the worst condition of electricity supply in the province, the government of Punjab is striving to increase the export of national agri items, fruits, vegetables and other products. He said that this festival is a platform arranged by Punjab government to gather mango exporters, traders and buyers under one roof and thereby taken an effective step to promote the exports of Pakistani mangoes in the international markets. Senator Ishaq Dar admires the efforts of Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif to develop the agri sector of the province and link it with international markets. Vice Chairman of Punjab Board of Investment & Trade Dr. Mufta Ismael in his welcome address said that the government of Punjab is giving special incentives and facilities to foreign investors to increase food exports of Pakistan. While highlighting the purpose of arranging Mango Festival 2012, the Secretary of Agriculture Mian Mushtaq said that our motive is to create and promote awareness and production of different varieties of Pakistani mangoes in the foreign diplomats, international institutions and local and foreign traders.

South Korea started to Import Pakistani Mangoes

A progressive Asian country South Korea has finally started to import Pakistani mangoes after the approval of the quality of those mangoes from food association. It is a big achievement for Pakistan. Now, our mango exporters have the access of the fruit market of that country which is considered to be the third largest after United States and Japan. You know that the first ever shipment of mangoes to the capital of S. Korea, Seoul has been begun during this ongoing season of mangoes. According to the co-chairman of Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchant Association (PFVA) Mr. Waheed Ahmed, “Access to the Korean market was very important for us especially in the export of mangoes because this fruit is the identity of our country. It is very important for us that the fruit is exported through sea routs. Also, it can be the second important destination for the sea shipments after Dubai."

When the food experts of South Korea visited Pakistan recently then they approved the quality of Pakistani mangoes in the meeting with the members of Hot Water Treatment Facility and Pakistan Horti Fresh Processing. The treatment facilities satisfied the visiting team of South Korea. Mr. Waheed said more that this achievement is the result of joint contribution of PFVA, Pakistan Horticulture Export and Development Company and Pakistani embassy in South Korea. Their accomplishments are really able to appreciate. Now, Pakistan has been exporting mangoes successfully to United States, Japan, Jordan, Mauritius and South Korea. You that the next target market of Pakistani mangoes is Australia and the preparation to access its market is already under process.

The consignments of Pakistani mangoes can be shipped to Seoul within two weeks due to which at least 10,000 to 15,000 tonnes of mangoes can be exported to South Korea during next few years. However, due to the lack of proper advertisement and marketing, the export of Pakistani mangoes in this season can remain limited. Mr. Waheed gave a positive suggestion that the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan should organize a tour of Pakistani delegation to Seoul which is responsible to introduce different varieties of Pakistani mangoes in not only the Seoul but also in the foreign market.

How to Select and Store Mangoes

Mango lovers know that they available in different forms such as fresh, canned and dried. So they should also know the usage of every form. When we talk about dried mangoes then these must be rehydrate in the hot water till atleast four hours before you use these in your recipe. Now come to the fresh mangoes. They are about 4 inches long and the range of their weight is from 9 ounces to 4 pounds. There is no need to say anything about canned mangoes. They are always fresh to eat when you opened their can because they are safe in the can with all its internal proteins and fibers. If you are going to buy fresh mangoes then remember that they shouldn’t have dark spots or blemishes. You can also recognize the true mango while smelling it. Keep in mind that ripe mangoes have a very fragrant aroma. They can easily be stored in a plastic bag and then put in the refrigerator for atmost two to three days.

Suppose if you got green mangoes then to ripe them, put in a brown paper bag for a few days after then they will ripe. You know that if you pick the mangoes too soon then they will not appropriately ripen. But it is also a fact that green mangoes are very famous in preparing different kinds of dishes in not only India but also in Malaysia and Thailand. Their flesh is a little bit tart rather than sweet. The enzymes present in raw mangoes are very helpful to break down the tough connective tissues in meats. That’s why green mangoes are considered to be a great meat tenderizer. They are commonly available in Asian markets.

Now come to the storage of mangoes. Freezing them is the accurate way to store. If you have fleshes of mangoes and you want to store them then first, sprinkle sugar over the peeled, seeded or chopped fruit. After that, gently stir these mango fleshes with the help of a wooden spoon until the sugar completely dissolves in the own juice of thee mangoes. But make sure that these fleshes of mangoes are coated. After stirring the sugar, seal them in an airtight container and then leave them 1/2-inch airspace. If you want to use the frozen mangoes as a sweet sauce then pack their slices in 30% syrup. Do you know how to make syrup? Take 2 cups of sugar and mix it with 4 cups of hot water. After that, chill the syrup before packing the mango fruit. To know more about mangoes, come to Ken Exporters.