This is literally the exact picture that pops into our heads when we think of fruit! Pakistan is truly a blessed country, rich in natural resources and fertile land.
Fruits and vegetables grow in abundance alongside crops.
Not only are they plentiful in quality, they also have exquisite taste and of course are overflowing with nutrients. Owing to the quality as well as quantity of fruits, there is a huge potential for profitable exports as well as long as systems are developed for quality control and packaging etc.
Like all crops, specific fruits grow in specific climates. Therefore, different provinces all have certain specialties with respect to the fruits that grow there.
Citrus Fruit
Let’s begin with Citrus Fruit – better known to the common man as Kino! Did you know that citrus fruit ranks at the very top in both production and trade in Pakistan? No, right? Neither did I!
Out of the many varieties, Pakistan grows sweet oranges, mandarin, grapefruit, lemon and lime commercially. According to a report in 2017, Pakistan is the 12th largest producer of citrus in the world!
Areas where citrus grows are:
- Punjab: Districts of Sargodha, Jhang, Sahiwal, Lahore, Multan, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Mianwali.
- Sindh: Districts of Sukkur, Nawabshah and Khairpur.
- Khyber Pakhtun Khwa: Peshawar, Mardan, Swat, Hazzara, Nowshehra and Sibi.
- Balochistan: Sibbi, Makran and Kech.
There is a huge demand for the fruit owing to its many uses. Kino is also exported to South Asian countries and is applauded for its impeccable taste.
Citrus fruits are packed with vitamin C which boosts the immune system – don’t forget to consume citrus fruits during the cold and flu season! They are also an excellent source of fiber, promote heart health and are wonderful staples for weight loss, too.
Mango – The King of Fruits
Mango is produced in large quantities in Pakistan – in fact, Pakistan ranks amongst some of the highest producers of mango in the world!
It is grown in the following areas:
- Punjab: Multan, Bahawalpur, Muzaffargarh and Rahim Yar Khan.
- Sindh: Mir Pur Khas, Hyderabad and Thatta.
- Khyber Pakhtun Khwa: D.I.Khan, Peshawar and Mardan.
Mangoes have more or less 1600 known varieties. Out of these 250 are grown in Pakistan while only 15 to 20 are grown on a commercial scale. These include Dasehri, Anwar Ratul, Langra, Chaunsa, Sindhri, Maldha and Fajri! Funny names aren’t they? Mangoes are also incredibly useful as they offer many health benefits. They improve digestion, promote a healthy gut, help boost immunity as well as aid in weight loss!
Cherry
These little nutrient rich babies are truly loved in our country! In Pakistan, cherries grow in the following regions:
- Northern areas,
- Gilgit-Baltistan
- Balochistan.
The climate of these regions is ideally suited for cherry trees with good winter rains and dry cool summers. It is also quite suitable for the said areas as cherry trees need comparatively less water, have a short production duration and extremely high value in the markets.
Cherries are wildly popular for their countless qualities. Consumption has been proven helpful in alleviating signs and symptoms of neurosis, insomnia and headaches.
The melatonin found in abundance in cherries helps in soothing the nerves and calming the nerves. They also curb irritability and improve the sleep cycle.
Apple
Apples are known as the “sweet gold” of Pakistan due to the lip smacking types that are grown here. They are usually grown at higher elevations in cooler climates.
Balochistan is the key contributor of apples with Khyber Pakhtun Khwa coming in at a close second.
Varieties available locally include:
- Golden delicious
- Red delicious
- Kala Kulu
- Kaja
- Gacha
- Amri
- Mushhadi
- Kashmiri.
We’ve all heard the old saying, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” As it turns out, there’s actually a lot of truth to the statement as consumption of apples provides antioxidants that help in improving neurological health. They also help prevent dementia, reduce risks of strokes and lower levels of bad cholesterol in the body.
Therefore, it is important to maintain a balanced intake of fruits. They are refreshing, light, full of nutrients and antioxidants too! So make sure to incorporate fruits into your diets and enjoy their natural goodness!
