Retailers highlight supply chain challenges, logistics costs, and rising consumer demand.
For mango enthusiasts, few things mark the arrival of summer quite like the first bite of a ripe mango, and across the United Arab Emirates, the variety on offer is extensive.
From Indian Alphonso and Pakistani Sindhri to Yemeni Kalabathoor and Colombian Baby Mangoes, retailers say consumers are treating mango season almost like a competitive sport, with different varieties selling quickly based on flavour preferences, cultural ties, and even delivery times.
As demand rises, retailers point to ongoing supply chain challenges, higher logistics costs, and a steadily growing appetite for mangoes in the market.
At VIVA Supermarket, this season’s mango selection includes Taimoor, Badami, Kent, Alphonso, and Cultbustar varieties, with Taimoor, Badami, and Kent currently seeing the highest demand.
The retailer notes that mango preferences in the United Arab Emirates vary significantly among customers. European shoppers tend to prefer less floral, tangier varieties, which is why Egyptian and Yemeni mangoes are popular among that group.
Meanwhile, customers of Indian origin strongly favour traditional varieties such as Badami and Alphonso mangoes, valued for their rich flavour, strong aroma, and natural sweetness.
Moreover, VIVA Supermarket says Indian mango varieties tend to dominate during peak season, but retailers aim to balance a wide range of flavour profiles to suit the UAE’s diverse customer base.
At Noon Minutes, the current mango lineup includes Alphonso, Naomi, Badami, and Yemeni Kalabathoor, with Ewais, Sindiri, and Tommy varieties expected later in the season. The platform reports that Alphonso, Taimoor, Badami, and Sindiri consistently rank among the most popular, with Alphonso and Badami currently selling particularly quickly, while Yemeni Kalabathoor remains a strong customer favourite.
Meanwhile, Careem is treating mango season like an international showcase, offering more than 20 varieties via its Careem Quik service, sourced from countries including India, Pakistan, Thailand, Vietnam, Brazil, Colombia, Australia, and Yemen. The company describes this as one of the widest selections available on any quick-commerce platform in the UAE.
According to Hanaa Mallak, General Manager of Groceries at Careem UAE, top sellers include Alphonso and Badami from India, Sindhri and Chaunsa from Pakistan, Baby Mango from Colombia, and R2E2 from Australia and Vietnam. While Alphonso and Chaunsa continue to lead demand, she added that more vibrant international varieties such as Baby Mango and R2E2 are also selling rapidly.
Retailers say this year’s mango season has been more complex than usual, with sourcing and logistics disruptions delaying supply and tightening availability across the United Arab Emirates market.
Hanaa Mallak, General Manager of Groceries – UAE at Careem, noted that the broader geopolitical situation has created a more challenging logistics environment across the industry, leading to longer transit times and tighter airfreight capacity. In response, companies have diversified sourcing and worked closely with supply chain partners to keep shelves stocked.
At Noon Minutes, the season reportedly began slightly later than usual due to production issues at origin and broader supply chain constraints affecting availability. VIVA Supermarket said the peak season has only just started, making it too early to determine clear long-term buying trends.
Mallak also observed a shift in consumer behaviour, with shoppers becoming more deliberate in their purchases—buying closer to consumption and prioritising freshness, a pattern that aligns well with on-demand delivery platforms.
Behind every perfectly ripened mango is a complex supply chain spanning multiple countries and transport modes across the United Arab Emirates market.
VIVA Supermarket says it currently sources mainly from Yemen and India, with Pakistan expected to be added as the season progresses. The retailer follows a hybrid sourcing model, combining direct procurement from origin countries with local sourcing through UAE-based fruit specialists to ensure optimal ripeness, consistent quality, and steady availability.
Meanwhile, Noon Minutes reports sourcing mangoes from India, Yemen, and Pakistan, using a mix of air, sea, and land freight depending on the variety and origin. Egyptian mangoes are also expected to arrive later in the season, further expanding the selection for consumers.
Hanaa Mallak, General Manager of Groceries – UAE at Careem, said ongoing geopolitical disruptions have made imports more challenging across the industry, creating a more complex logistics environment with longer transit times and tighter airfreight capacity. She added that the company has responded by diversifying sourcing and strengthening coordination with supply chain partners to maintain stable availability in the United Arab Emirates market.
Retailers also point to rising mango prices this season. Noon Minutes said prices have increased slightly compared to previous years, mainly due to greater reliance on air freight to preserve freshness amid supply chain disruptions.
Meanwhile, VIVA Supermarket attributed price fluctuations to the typical volatility of fresh produce, influenced by supply-demand changes, labour costs, and fuel prices. The retailer also noted that Indian mango production is expected to be lower this year, though a stronger season in Pakistan and stable supply from Yemen could help offset market pressures.
Retailers say they are still working to keep mangoes affordable despite ongoing cost pressures across the United Arab Emirates market. VIVA Supermarket stated that its focus remains on offering the most competitive prices across all mango varieties.
Noon Minutes added that it continues to work closely with suppliers and vendors to maintain strong availability throughout the season, while ensuring rapid delivery of mangoes within 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, Careem is adding a competitive twist to the season with plans to launch a “Mango World Cup” in the second week of June, described as a global contest between South Asian classics and Western mango varieties. The idea highlights how diverse international varieties—from Alphonso and Chaunsa to Colombian Baby Mangoes and Australian R2E2s—have turned mango season into a highly competitive market in the UAE.
