Apeda seeks commitment on mango exports to Japan

For this year, Apeda has sought exporters commit to at least 50-70 tonnes

With mango exports to Japan falling in the past three years, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) has sought a commitment on the quantity from potential shippers.

For this year, Apeda has asked each exporter to commit to at least 50-70 tonnes; for 2016 and 2017, they should commit to 100 tonnes and 150 tonnes, respectively.

The commitment is aimed at sharing the cost of visits and inspection of vapour heat treatment (VHT) facilities in India by quarantine officials from Japan. Through VHT, a pre-shipping process, the quality of mangoes is ensured for the exportable period. Inspections are required for export certification.

“A written consent from exporters indicating a minimum quantity of mango exports to Japan is needed by February 26 so that it can be forwarded for approval from the Japanese quarantine authority for their visit,” said R Ravindra, deputy general manager, Apeda.

After Japan opened its market to Indian mangoes in 2006-07, the cost of such visits by Japanese quarantine officials was borne by Apeda. Subsequently, exporters were asked to bear this cost. As the quantity of exports was inadequate to recover this cost, exporters gradually became disinterested in bearing these costs. Consequently, exports to Japan nosedived.

“Those who give a commitment get quota allocation from the government, under execution of exports can be done without special certification. Without a commitment, however, special certification is required for executing export orders,” said a Chennai-based mango exporter.

Mango exports to Japan fell to 14.52 tonnes in 2010-11 from 122 tonnes in 2007-08. But due to various steps by the government, the exports rose to 66.59 tonnes in 2011-12, before falling to nil in 2011-12 due to lack of VHT certification.

In the Japanese market, India's Alphonso mangoes compete with 'Manila Super' from the Philippines.

Overall, India's mango exports plunged to 41,280 tonnes in 2013-14 from 55,585 tonnes in 2012-13 and 63,441 tonnes in 2011-12. In value terms, the exports rose to $50.55 million in 2013-14 from $48.54 million and $43.73 million in 2012-13 and 2011-12, respectively.