This year, Karnataka is preparing to export 10,000 tonnes of mangoes, according to the Karnataka State Mango Development and Marketing Corporation. Mangoes from the state are usually sent to the EU and Singapore, but this year they are also destined for the US and Malaysia.
R. Roshan Baig, Minister for Infrastructure Development, said, “Karnataka generally exports a measly 500 tonnes to some European countries and Singapore. Hence, getting export orders of 10,000 tonnes is a big leap.”
This year, the State is expecting a bumper crop of nearly 1.3 million tonnes, which may hit the market from mid-May onwards, said M. Kamalakshi Rajanna, chairperson, State Mango Development Corporation. “Increased humidity without moisture has played spoil-sport to the otherwise good season that has seen a 58 per cent increase in production compared with last year,” she said.
Tests for export
The export varieties have to undergo a series of tests conducted by the Innova Agri Biopark, Malur.
“The mangoes will be graded, sorted and dried. Then there will be a 48 degrees Celsius hot-water treatment followed by Ethylene ripening and packing,” said K.P. Venkatesh, Senior Manager, Innova Biopark.
He said this year, as many as 4,500 farmers have registered with them for exporting their produce. So far, 20 tonnes have already been shipped.
