Mango exports likely to dip this year

With the European Union (EU) banning import of Indian mangoes earlier this year, exporters have tried to focus on other markets, especially the US to compensate for the loss. However, industry insiders feel that the US is unlikely to make up for the volumes lost to EU, and overall mango exports from the country would be less by around 10-15 per cent this year.

Abhijeet Bhasale, managing director of Pune-based import-export house Rainbow International that is also engaged in online retailing ofmangoes through mangowale.com said, "We are the second largest exporter of mangoes to the USA, and had exported over 90 tonnes of mangoes to the US last year. However, this year we have not seen any rise in exports to the US." He outlined two main reasons behind this, one is that the irrradiation facility at Lasalgaon in Maharashtra that was undergoing a capacity expansion was not ready until end of April. Irradiation process certification is required to export mangoes to US.

On top of this, the US also employed stringent checks on Indian mangoes at airports following the ban from EU. India's total mango exports to the US last year was around 280 tonnes, and this year it can increase by 15-20 per cent. However, it is unlikely to compensate for the volumes lost in EU trade.

Traders say that the entire EU basket of exports is around 5,000 tonnes of mangoes, of which the UK is one of the biggest markets accounting for nearly 3,500 tonnes of export. The Agricultural Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) figures show that India had exported nearly 3890 tonnes of mangoes to the EU in 2012-13. However, traders claim that original export figures are higher than the Apeda numbers, as all exporters are not registered with the Apeda.

Sudhanshu, regional in-charge, west zone, Apeda, however, says that exports to the US have been extended till mid-July. "We are expecting to touch 400 tonnes in total exports to the US this year, and have so far done around 300 tonnes. Among other markets, exports to New Zealand has increased to over 50 tonnes from a 30 tonnes last time," he said.

However, when it came to the traditional markets in West Asia (which accounts for around 50 per cent of mango exports from India), some of the South Gujarat-based traders pointed out that this year Pakistan has managed to raise its share of exports to these countries. "The kesar crop in Gujarat has been affected this year due to the unseasonal rains, and mango arrivals in Talala and also parts of Maharashtra have been less compared to last year," said Nanjibhai Patel, a Junagadh based trader.

Total mango exports from India were around 55,000-56,000 tonnes in 2012-13.