APEDA Launches ‘Indian Mango Mania 2025’ in UAE to Boost Mango Exports

In a vibrant celebration of India’s rich agricultural heritage and global culinary appeal, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, launched the ‘Indian Mango Mania 2025’ campaign in Abu Dhabi. This international mango promotion initiative is part of APEDA’s broader strategy to bolster India’s footprint in global agricultural markets and especially to showcase the country’s premium mango varieties to consumers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the wider Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

The mango promotion programme was officially unveiled at LuLu Hypermarket, Khalidiyah Mall, Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with the Embassy of India in the UAE and retail giant LuLu Group International. The in-store festival featured a vibrant showcase of India’s Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged mangoes and regional favourites, curated to coincide with the peak of India’s mango harvest season.

A Diplomatic and Cultural Showcase

The event was inaugurated by Shri Sunjay Sudhir, Ambassador of India to the UAE, in the presence of Shri Yusuff Ali M.A., Chairman of the Lulu Group; Shri Rohit Mishra, Counsellor (Trade & Investment), Embassy of India; and Dr. C.B. Singh, Deputy General Manager, APEDA. Dignitaries and trade representatives from both India and the UAE joined the occasion, underlining the strategic importance of agricultural exports in bilateral trade.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Sudhir noted,

“LuLu has been instrumental in connecting Indian farmers to global markets. The Indian Mango Mania not only highlights the exceptional quality of Indian mangoes but also strengthens people-to-people connections through food.”

Chairman Yusuff Ali M.A. expressed pride in showcasing Indian produce across the GCC, reiterating Lulu’s long-standing role in enabling India’s export journey:

“Our retail chains have consistently served as ambassadors of India’s rich food diversity. This campaign is another testament to that commitment.”

India’s Mango Marvels Take Centre Stage

The in-store festival highlighted an exceptional array of premium mango varieties, including:

• Banarasi Langda

• Dasheri

• Chausa

• Sunderja

• Amrapali

• Malda

• Bharat Bhog

• Prabha Shankar

• Lakshman Bhog

• Mahmood Bahar

• Vrindavani

• Fasli

• Mallika

These varieties, sourced from states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh, reflect India’s unmatched biodiversity and expertise in mango cultivation. According to Shri Abhishek Dev, Chairman of APEDA,

“This initiative celebrates India’s mango diversity and helps generate substantial export opportunities, directly benefiting mango farmers and FPOs across India.”

APEDA played a key role in facilitating the airlifting of these varieties to the UAE, ensuring freshness, quality, and traceability of origin.

Mango Gastronomy: Culinary Creations from India and Beyond

Beyond the fresh fruit display, the campaign delighted attendees with a curated selection of mango-based gourmet dishes, emphasizing the fruit’s versatility across cuisines and cultures. Highlights included:

Bakery & Desserts

• Mango Swiss rolls, pastries, macaroons, mango bread, and cakes

Traditional Indian Cuisine

• Mambazha payasam (Kerala mango dessert), mango pulao, mango chutney, fish curry, and kichadi

Salads & Snacks

• Mango raita, fritters, chaat, and tropical salad mixes

Global Fusion Fare

• Mango sushi, mango-stuffed chicken, and mango chapli kebab

Pickles & Preserves

• Mango-dates pickle, Kashmiri mango pickle, garlic mango pickle

Beverages

• Fresh mango juice, smoothies, pulps, jams, and jellies

The culinary display was aimed at appealing to a global audience while honouring Indian culinary traditions and innovation.

Mango Exports to UAE: A Growing Trade Opportunity

The UAE continues to be India’s largest export destination for mangoes. In 2024 alone, India exported over 12,000 metric tonnes of mangoes worth USD 20 million to the UAE, demonstrating the strong demand for Indian varieties in Gulf markets.

With the Indian diaspora forming a large part of the consumer base, these campaigns play a crucial role in both cultural diplomacy and trade expansion.

India’s Export Vision and APEDA’s Strategic Role

APEDA, as the nodal body for promoting exports of agricultural and processed food products, remains committed to:

• Enhancing market access for farmers’ producer organizations (FPOs)

• Supporting farmer-producer companies (FPCs)

• Providing logistics and packaging support for agri-exporters

• Promoting GI-tagged horticultural products in international markets

The Mango Mania campaign aligns with India’s larger vision of becoming a global agricultural export leader, especially in high-value, seasonal, and fresh produce categories.

The Indian Mango Mania 2025 in Abu Dhabi is more than just a mango promotion—it is a vibrant celebration of Indian agriculture, a showcase of cross-cultural gastronomy, and a strategic effort to elevate Indian farmers on the global stage. With enthusiastic participation from the Indian government, diplomatic corps, retail partners like Lulu Group, and the Indian diaspora, the initiative reflects how agricultural diplomacy and food culture can together power India’s export ambitions.

As the golden fruit of India continues to win hearts across borders, APEDA’s ongoing efforts underscore India’s position as a trusted global supplier of high-quality agricultural produce.