Abu Dhabi Mango Extravaganza 2025: APEDA Hosts Mango Festival to Advance Indian Mango Exports in UAE
In a delightful celebration of India's diverse mango varieties, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) organised the 'Indian Mango Mania 2025' in Abu Dhabi. The event, a joint initiative by APEDA, the Indian Embassy in the UAE, and the Lulu Group, aimed to showcase the richness of Indian mango diversity and connect Indian farmers with international markets, particularly in the Gulf region.
The festival, which took place at LuLu Hypermarket in Khalidiyah Mall, featured an impressive array of premium Indian mangoes, including GI-tagged and regional favourites such as Dasheri, Banarasi Langda, Amrapali, Chausa, Sunderja, Bharat Bhog, Mallika, and Lakshman Bhog. Visitors were treated to a variety of curated mango delicacies, including pastries, Swiss rolls, macaroons, mango pulao, fish curry, payasam, mango sushi, mango-stuffed chicken, and mango chapli kebabs.
The event was inaugurated by India's Ambassador to the UAE, Sunjay Sudhir, alongside Lulu Group Chairman Yusuff Ali M.A. and senior officials from APEDA and the Indian Embassy. Sudhir highlighted the importance of the festival, stating, "Through this mango festival, we bring the taste of India to homes across the Gulf."
The GI tags on several mango varieties signify that they can only be authentically grown in their respective geographic areas, which impart unique soil, climate, and cultivation conditions essential to their superior taste, aroma, and texture. The GI status helps preserve their heritage and boosts their market value domestically and internationally. Among the GI-tagged mangoes showcased were the Kesar Mango from Gujarat, Zardalu Mango from Bihar, Khirshapat Mango from Chapainawabganj, and Miyazaki Mango from Jagtial, Telangana.
The festival also provided an opportunity to promote Indian mango exports, with the figure of mango exports to the UAE expected to rise as Indian mangoes continue to charm global palates. In 2024, India exported over 12,000 metric tonnes of mangoes worth $20 million to the UAE. The UAE continues to be the top destination for Indian mango exports.
APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev said the initiative showcases India's mango diversity and opens up new trade opportunities. He expressed his gratitude to Lulu for their role in promoting Indian fruits globally and praised APEDA's efforts in helping farmers access new markets. APEDA facilitated the airlifting of mangoes from key producing states to ensure the freshness of the fruits.
The event was timed perfectly with the peak of the mango season, providing visitors with the opportunity to taste the best of India's mango varieties. Although the festival did not provide specific information about the number of farmers or markets connected as a result of the event, it undoubtedly served as a significant step towards strengthening India's position in the global mango market.
1.The festival, held at LuLu Hypermarket, featured a variety of Indian mango-themed business offerings, including food-and-drink products like mango pastries, sushi, and chapli kebabs, showcasing the intersection of finance and lifestyle through the promotion of Indian mango exports.
- The inauguration of 'Indian Mango Mania 2025' emphasized the role of finance within this lifestyle event, as India's Ambassador to the UAE, Sunjay Sudhir, underscored the fiscal significance of the festival in bringing the rich taste of Indian mangoes to international markets, particularly in the Gulf region, and consequently boosting the revenue for Indian farmers and the broader food-and-drink industry.
