Japan comes calling on mango import

Don't want to miss the best from Business Standard?

In an encouraging hastening of procedures to allow more mango imports from India, the Japanese government authorities have have sought details of Vapour Heat Treatment (VHT) facilities for the fruit in states here, so as to appoint a supervisor for inspection.

VHT is a non-chemical alternative for controlling unwanted insects and fungi in perishable commodities and tropical fruits. By an agreement between the two countries, Japan accepts VHT mango varieties of the Alphonso, Kesar, Banganapalli, Langra, Chausa and Malika and only from Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

In early July, the Japanese health ministry had exempted inspection for chlorpyrifos, a chemical residue, in Indian mangoes.

The Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) here has asked all entities interested in export to give details of VHT facilities by December 30. “We will be forwarding (this) to the Japanese quarantine authorities, for deputation of the inspectors. The Japanese authorities need sufficient lead time for processing such requests,” said R Ravindra, deputy general manager, Apeda.

India’s mango export to Japan was 70 tonnes, worth $180,000, in 2011-12. In the two subsequent years, it was almost zero, due to stringent quality norms set by the importing authorities.

The present change is attributed to a change in attitude, aided by the five-day visit in September of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Japan currently ranks 51st in India’s mango export, way behind much smaller countries such as Mali, Zambia, Poland and Portugal, slipping from 19th rank in 2011-12. United Arab Emirates continues to lead, by taking a little over half of our overall mango export.

“This year, we do not want to leave any stone unturned. We are making all possible attempts to increase our mango exports to Japan,” said an official.

Apeda is warning those interested to ensure their VHT facilities make all tie-ups needed with packing houses, growers, etc, for enough offtake to justify deputation of  Japanese inspectors.

Japan had imposed a ban for two decades on import of Indian mangoes, due to suspected infestation by fruit flies. This was lifted in June 2006 but its import since has been low.