Indian mango feast in UAE: Savour rare summer varieties, traditional dishes

Abu Dhabi: A vibrant campaign celebrating the king of fruits has kicked off across LuLu Hypermarkets in the UAE and the GCC, inviting residents to indulge in the rich flavours of Indian mangoes all summer long.

Titled Indian Mango Mania, the promotion brings together a wide variety of freshly flown-in summer mangoes – from Alphonso, Langra, and Banganapalli to Fazli, Badami, Chausa, and more. There are also rare and lesser-known varieties to try, such as Himam Pasand, Kalappadi, Lakshman Bhog, Neelam, Dudhiya Malda, Sundarja and Sindhooram. The campaign promises a sweet journey through India’s diverse mango-growing regions.

A global platform for Indian farmers

The campaign is a joint initiative between Abu Dhabi-headquartered LuLu Group, India’s Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the Embassy of India in the UAE, and several Indian state governments. It aims to boost awareness of India’s agricultural excellence while supporting local farmers and exporters.

A sweet showcase of India’s mango diversity

The festival was officially inaugurated at LuLu Hypermarket, Khalidiyah Mall in Abu Dhabi, by Sunjay Sudhir, Ambassador of India to the UAE, in the presence of Yusuffali MA, Chairman of LuLu Group, along with Dr CB Singh, Deputy General Manager of APEDA, and other dignitaries.

“Through this festival, the freshness and richness of Indian mangoes, especially from the north and east, will delight households across the Gulf,” said Sudhir.

He praised Lulu’s role in strengthening bilateral trade and boosting India’s agri exports, stating, “LuLu has done appreciable work to bring so much of Indian produce to the UAE.”

More than just fruit – It’s a mango feast

LuLu Hypermarkets are going beyond fresh mangoes with a wide mango-themed menu, featuring bakery treats like mango bread, brioche, doughnuts, and mango cakes; traditional dishes such as ‘Mambazha payasam’, Gujarati mango curry, and mango chutney; snacks and salads like mango fritters, samosas, spring rolls, mango raita, and tropical mango salad; and fusion fare including mango sushi and mango-stuffed chicken, among others.

Boosting export opportunities

Beyond the tropical flavours, the campaign has a deeper mission: creating a bridge between Indian farmers and global markets.

“This initiative not only celebrates India’s mango diversity, but also creates significant export opportunities for Indian growers and supports our farming communities,” said Dr Singh.