Khorfakkan Mango Festival 2026 opens with bigger participation and over 150 varieties
Farmers, families and businesses gather for a growing agricultural showcase
SHARJAH – The fifth Khorfakkan Mango Festival has opened at Expo Khorfakkan, bringing together farmers, agricultural companies, productive families and international participants for a three-day celebration of one of the UAE’s most valued seasonal fruits.
Held under the theme “Mango: Our Fruit, Our Wealth”, the event has recorded a 40 percent increase in participation compared with the previous edition, reflecting its expanding role as an agricultural and commercial platform.
Organised by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), in cooperation with the Municipal Council of Khorfakkan, Khorfakkan City Municipality and Expo Khorfakkan, the festival runs until Sunday evening with a programme featuring competitions, exhibitions, workshops, cultural activities and direct sales opportunities.
This year’s edition brings together 55 farmers, leading agriculture and fertilisation companies, and productive families from across the UAE. Participants from Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Pakistan and Uganda are also taking part, adding a wider regional and international dimension to the event. To accommodate the rise in exhibitors, the festival has expanded its exhibition infrastructure by 70 percent, creating more space for displays and visitor activities.
Khorfakkan Mango Festival
The festival was inaugurated by Abdallah Sultan Al Owais in the presence of Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment; Salem Ali Al Muhairi; Dr Muhammad Abdullah Al-Murr Alnaqbi; Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI; Khalfan Saleh Al Harethi Al Naqbi; Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi; Khalil Al-Mansouri and senior officials, farmers and agricultural stakeholders.
Visitors at Expo Khorfakkan can explore more than 150 varieties of locally grown mangoes, alongside citrus fruits and seasonal produce from the Eastern Region. The exhibition also highlights value-added products, mango-processing industries and agricultural innovations designed to support the growth of local farming.
The productive families pavilion has added another dimension to the festival, featuring locally produced food, traditional cuisine and handcrafted items. The space provides a platform for small-scale producers and home-based businesses to connect with visitors while showcasing products linked to local agricultural traditions.
شهد سعادة عبدالله سلطان العويس رئيس مجلس إدارة غرفة تجارة وصناعة الشارقة في مدينة خورفكان، فعاليات الدورة الخامسة من مهرجان خورفكان للمانجو 2026، الذي يقام تحت شعار “المانجو ثمرتنا ثروتنا” في مركز إكسبو خورفكان، الحدث السنوي الذي يأتي بتنظيم مشترك بين غرفة تجارة وصناعة الشارقة… pic.twitter.com/ycE2omG2PN
— Sharjah Chamber (@Sharjah_Chamber) June 27, 2026
During the opening ceremony, sponsors and supporting entities were recognised for their contribution to the festival’s continued growth.
Al Owais said the event strengthens its position as an economic and cultural platform aligned with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to support agricultural investment as a key element of food security.
He added that agriculture remains an important contributor to economic diversification and supports the UAE’s food security goals by helping farmers improve marketing opportunities and adopt modern agricultural technologies.
Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi said the previous edition attracted around 35,000 visitors, while the current festival has recorded a 40 percent rise in participating farmers and a 70 percent increase in exhibition space. He described the event as a direct connection point between farmers and consumers, supported by specialised workshops and guidance programmes.
Agricultural competitions
For local growers, the festival offers an opportunity to display their harvests directly to visitors and compete for recognition through agricultural competitions. The event features five competitions with cash prizes, beginning with the Mango Mazayna (Most Beautiful Mango) Competition, the Largest Mango Competition and the Best Mango Basket Competition.
Only mangoes grown locally on registered farms or home gardens are eligible for participation, with ownership verification required during registration. Selected entries are also inspected to ensure authenticity and maintain fair competition standards.
Khalil Al-Mansouri said Emirati farmers from across the UAE receive fully equipped exhibition stands free of charge, while the festival also supports home-based agricultural initiatives. Mangoes represent around 80 percent of the exhibits, while citrus fruits, bananas and other seasonal products complete the displays.
He added that the festival encourages younger generations to engage with agriculture through competitions and educational activities, while promoting entrepreneurship in mango-based food processing industries. Support from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and the Sharjah Department of Agriculture and Livestock has also contributed to the event’s development.
The festival has become an important meeting point for agricultural businesses from different countries. Pakistani exhibitors have returned after receiving strong interest during the previous edition, presenting fresh mangoes and exploring new commercial opportunities in the UAE market.
Ugandan participants are also showcasing their products after a successful debut last year, introducing mangoes along with other agricultural products while highlighting opportunities for international trade.
Family experience
Beyond agricultural displays, the festival offers activities designed to attract families and encourage community participation. The programme includes cultural performances, heritage activities, daily prize draws and entertainment for children.
The Mango Beauty Competition for children aged 7 to 15 from the Eastern Region and the Best Innovative Idea or Mango-Based Project Competition are among the activities scheduled as part of this year’s programme. These initiatives aim to connect younger visitors with agriculture and encourage creative ideas linked to mango cultivation and processing.
Workshops held during the festival focus on modern farming methods, irrigation systems, mango cultivation and pest management, providing practical knowledge for farmers and visitors interested in agricultural development.
Supported by Al Sharqiya Kalba TV as the official media partner, the Khorfakkan Mango Festival welcomes visitors on Sunday from 16:30 until 22:00. Alongside competitions and sales of premium mangoes and agricultural seedlings, the event continues to offer a mix of farming, commerce, heritage and entertainment activities at Expo Khorfakkan.