ISTANBUL 

People from all walks of life on Saturday enjoyed the sweet taste of mango, also known as the "king of fruits," in the Turkish metropolis of Istanbul.

The event "King of Fruits, Pakistani Mango," hosted by the Pakistani Consul General in Istanbul and attended by dozens of people, aimed to promote the South Asian nation's iconic fruit in Türkiye, according to officials.

Nauman Aslam, the counselor general of the Pakistani mission in Istanbul, told Anadolu that mango is a "unique fruit," also known as the "king of fruits," adding that Pakistan is the world's fourth-largest mango producer.

Attendees had the opportunity to taste fresh mangoes cut in various shapes and sizes, as well as sample milkshakes made with sweet fruit.

“Pakistan produces 185,000 metric tons of mangoes each year. And we have got 20 varieties of mangoes, which are being produced in two major regions: Punjab and Sindh provinces,” Aslam said.

He said the South Asian nation exports mangoes to numerous regions and countries, including the Middle East, Europe, Australia, and the US.

The mango fruit has been introduced into the Turkish market in recent years with "some success," Aslam said, adding: "I think events like these would go a long way in introducing this mango to the Turkish people."

Aslam commented on the use of mango in public diplomacy, saying: "Mango is a sweet fruit, and, of course, diplomatic language is also supposed to be sweet."

"So, (when) the sweetness of the two things gets together, it makes collaboration between communities very sweet and very convenient," he said.

Pakistan is an agrarian economy, and "we produce various fruits as well as vegetables," said Aslam, noting that citrus fruits and mangoes are the two most important export commodities.