Export-quality mangoes drive record uptake of fruit-protection bags, set to hit 10m in 2026

ISLAMABAD: The use of protective mango bags in Pakistan is expected to reach nearly 10 million in 2026 as export prices for bagged fruit rise by about 70 per cent, signaling growing confidence in the technique among growers and exporters.

The bags, introduced by the Pakistan Horticulture Development & Export Company (PHDEC), help reduce post-harvest losses, enhance fruit quality, and open access to premium international markets.

“This mango protection method has proved a breakthrough for growers and exporters alike,” Khawar Nadeem, Manager Agri Products at PHDEC, told Wealth Pakistan.

Pakistan produces around 1.8 million tonnes of mangoes annually, yet only about 150,000 tonnes, or 8.3%, are exported. Post-harvest losses due to pests, blemishes, and handling issues have limited growers’ incomes and restricted access to high-end markets.

The fruit-protection bags shield hanging mangoes from fruit flies, dust, and sunburn for 30 to 45 days, reducing pesticide use and improving appearance. Bagged mangoes have gained stronger acceptance in markets such as Europe, the United States, and Japan.

A 5kg pack of non-bagged mangoes typically sells for $17-18 internationally, while the same quantity of bagged fruit commands up to $30, a roughly 70 percent increase.

The initiative began as a small pilot project, with PHDEC distributing 150,000 bags among 25–30 growers in Sindh and Punjab. Over time, adoption increased as farmers observed improved quality and higher prices. PHDEC distributed 200,000 mango bags in both 2022 and 2023, and by 2025, growers and exporters procured one million bags themselves.

“Looking ahead, usage is projected to surge to nearly 10 million bags in the coming season, reflecting strong industry confidence in the technique,” Khawar said.

Currently imported from China at around Rs6 per bag, growers have called for local manufacturing to reduce costs and improve access, especially for small-scale farmers.

Mangoes remain Pakistan’s second-largest fruit crop and a key component of its horticulture exports, with the country ranking as the fifth-largest producer globally.