Mango export this year is likely to decline, again due to stringent quality norms set by importing countries, including America and Japan, two important markets.
Despite a 12.4 per cent decline in volumes, exports of mangoes in general rose 26.2 per cent in value terms in 2012-13, to Rs 265 crore. In volume, these were 55,585 tonnes in 2012-13, as compared to 63,441 tonnes the previous year.
Japanese authorities are emphasising on a mandatory Vapour Heat Treatment (VHT). US importers want strict pack house inspection (PHC) and handling.
In a letter to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda), the Japanese authority has said it wants to send inspectors for supervision of the processing operation at each VHT facility in India. Imports from India were banned in 1986 because of suspected infestation by fruit flies. Japan lifted the ban in 2006 but exporters did not pursue the market aggressively. Only 67 tonnes were sent to Japan in 2011-12 and, with the VHP and other stringent norms, none at all in 2012-13.
American authorities, meanwhile, have also asked India to register all pack houses and farmers with the authorities here and in the US, with a weekly schedule of exports, for easy inspection and monitoring of Indian facilities.
Exports to the US fell in quantity terms to 242 tonnes in 2012-13 from 353 tonnes the previous year; however, in value terms, shipments rose to Rs 5.8 crore from Rs 2.2 crore in the same period. The United Arab Emirates and Britain are the two largest importers of mango from India — Rs 163 crore (37,599 tonnes) and Rs 32.5 crore (3,304 tonnes) in 2012-13, respectively.
