News of

Market News

India mangoes find flavour in US, exports set to double in a year.
May 22, 2023

India’s mango exports to the US are expected to more than double in the current fiscal, although from a very low base. Exporters see shipments of the fruit to the US crossing 2,000 tonnes, as against 813.5 tonnes in 2022-23, 16.51 tonnes in 2021-22 and 1.45 tonnes in 2020-21.

Exports to the US were expected to get a boost through the mango-for-bikes deal in 2007. India, then, allowed imports of Harley-Davidson motorbikes from the US in return for the latter opening up its market for Alphonso mangoes. The deal – lifting an 18-year ban on mango imports from India after a few rejected fruit fly-infested consignments – followed the then US President George W Bush’s visit to New Delhi in 2006.

But for all the hype over the deal, exports of fresh mangoes did not really take off, touching a peak of 1,095.42 tonnes valued at a mere $4.35 million (Rs 30.56 crore) in 2019-20.

During 2022-23, India’s overall mango exports totalled 22,963.78 tonnes (worth $48.53 million or Rs 378.49 crore). The major markets were UAE (12,139.62 tonnes), UK (2,768.76 tonnes) and Qatar (2,026.20 tonnes), with the US at a distant No. 7 behind even Oman, Nepal and Kuwait.

However, Kaushal Khakhar, CEO of Kay Bee Exports, is confident about shipments to the US topping 2,000 tonnes in the current fiscal. 'There’s lot of demand coming from supermarkets and stores there, especially for the Kesar mangoes,' said Khakhar, whose Phaltan (Maharashtra)-based company claims to be the largest air-freight exporter of fresh fruits and vegetables to Europe.

Grown across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Telangana, Kesar is considered to be a sturdier variety with longer shelf life than the more well-known Alphonso. The latter geographical indications-protected variety is mainly cultivated in Maharashtra’s Konkan coast districts of Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri and Raigarh.

India’s mango export season normally starts after March. For the US, it takes off in April after the arrival of the country’s phytosanitary inspector who undertakes physical quality checks of the fruits that are destined for exports. The European Union, UK and other countries also follow quality protocols, but their rules for imports don’t require physical presence of inspectors in India.

Demand apart, the fall in air-freight charges is seen as another factor favouring exports to the US this time. 'Last year, we had to pay as much as $6 per kg for freight. That has now halved to $3/kg,' said Khakkar.

indianexpress.com

Trade Leads

Directory's

APEDA Agri Exchange

News & Analysis

Contact

Trade Leads

Directory's

APEDA Agri Exchange

News & Analysis

Follow Us

Contact