While reflecting success both in terms of public participation and commercial growth, the second edition of Indian Mango Festival (Al Hamba Exhibition) marked sales of more than 130,100kg.
The 10-day festival, according to a statement from the Private Engineering Office (PEO), received 114,400 visitors.
Held at the Eastern Square of Souq Waqif, the event was organised in co-operation with the Indian embassy.
“The event witnessed a large public turnout and a joyful festive atmosphere, with the participation of families, citizens, residents and visitors of various nationalities," it was explained.
All the mango varieties on display were imported specifically for the event via direct air freight from India on a daily basis, ensuring the availability of fresh fruit.
“This success is a major incentive to plan for the third edition of the exhibition next year, promising the public an improved and distinguished edition that will build on the successes achieved in the previous two editions,” said the event's general supervisor Khalid Saif al-Suwaidi.
The second edition witnessed a large turnout that exceeded expectations to surpass last year's figures, he noted, while lauding the excellent organising by the Souq Waqif management and the working team.
The festival featured 55 mango varieties along with cakes, sweets, ice creams and juices.
Most famous Indian mango varieties, including Rajapuri, Malgova, Neelam, Alphonso, Kesar, Badami, Mallika, Imam Pasand, Kalapadi, Totapuri, Chakkarakkutti and Sindoor, were on sale in the expo that featured 38 Indian companies.
Al-Suwaidi recalled that one of the most notable features of the exhibition this year was the presence of a laboratory affiliated with the Ministry of Public Health.
The lab tested random samples of the mangoes on display daily to ensure their safety and quality embodying the organising committee's commitment to the health of visitors and the safety of products.
“The exhibition featured new items being displayed for the first time in the local market, in addition to a variety of mango-based food products, such as sweets, pickles, juices and side dishes,” he added.
