An EU-wide ban on mangoes from India which came into force at the beginning of May will stop imports into the EU potentially until December 2015. The ban also includes aubergines, two types of squash, and a type of leaf used in Indian cooking.
Non-European food pests were found in 207 shipments of fruit and vegetables in 2013.
Kaushal Khakhar from Kay Bee Exports feels this ban was unfairly imposed, he explains that companies such as his have invested a lot of time and money into ensuring that all phytosanitary measures are in place and adhered to, "A lot of people who are large exporters like us have suffered a big loss of business, even after complying with regulations, we have never had any problems with shipments to Europe, but there are big differences in exporters some are not as careful."
Normally Kay Bee would send 400 tons of mangoes by air to the EU each season and India as a whole would send 3,500 tons.
Kay Bee has exported some mangoes to the US and Middle East, but these are emerging markets and do not make up for the EU market. Some exports are very focussed on the EU and if they can't export there they will not export at all.
The export ban is having a crushing effect on domestic negative returns for farmers with prices around 30% lower than normal.
According to Mr Khakhar the ban will not be reviewed until next year, so this season is lost with only 3-4 weeks remaining, he is hoping for a lifting of the ban in time for next year's season.
