Pakistan's mango exports shrink as Mideast war impacts linger

Pakistan's mango export target for the season has been slashed by nearly 30%, dropping by 30,000 tons to 80,000 tons due to regional conflicts, soaring freight costs and especially Mideast war.

Pakistan grows over two dozen varieties of mango that normally earn around $110 million in international sales a year -- making the country the world's fourth-largest exporter. Almost 80 percent of mango export is to the Gulf region, Iran and Afghanistan, and conflict had gripped all of those countries in recent months.

The mango growers welcomed the initial deal between the warring sides announced by Pakistan this week, but said the deal has come too late for this mango season, which began in June in southern Sindh province.