The agreement allowing the import of mangoes includes a system for irradiating the fruits, a food safety measure that aims to remove any disease-carrying bacteria, particularly that transported by the tropical fruit fly. According to Shaw, who reopened a JAMPRO office in New York to promote investment in Jamaica, mango orchards will be established in order to maximize production to meet the high demand.
The reopening of the JAMPRO office is expected to facilitate entry for local Jamaican produce into the American market, where authorities impose stringent restrictions in hopes to blocking external diseases that could have devastating effects on US agriculture. Receiving permission to export mangoes is a significant achievement and a breakthrough that could ease the way to move other non-traditional produce.
Jamaicans.com explains that while the export of mangoes will involve less than 0.08 percent of the US mango imports, it presents an opportunity for Jamaica to develop a potentially lucrative trade option.
