This season, Maharashtra aims to export 5,000 tonnes of mangoes to US, Europe

With Karnataka’s mango orchards reporting severe moisture stress, the growers in Konkan region of Maharashtra expect to make rich dividends through export of Alphonso, Kesar mango varieties.

Indian mangoes, especially the likes of Alphonso of Konkan, Kesar from Marathwada as well as Gujarat are hot export material. (File Photo)

After a lean season of 2022-23, the Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB) has set a target of processing and exporting 5,000 tonnes of mangoes from its facilities this season. Sanjay Kadam, managing director of the board, said they aim to export to developed nations like the US and Europe where realisation is better.

The mango season this year has started on a good note with farmers being hopeful of a good harvest due to favourable climate. Growers from the Konkan region are especially buoyant as the Karnataka orchards have reported severe moisture stress which can result in early end of the season. Alphonso and Kesar from Maharashtra are prime export varieties. The MSAMB’s export facility at Vashi has both Vapour Heat Treatment as well as irradiation facility necessary for exports to various countries.

Kadam said the US phytosanitary inspector is expected to arrive on April 10, after which full-fledged exports to the US would start. The previous inspector, who was supervising the exports of pomegranates, had overseen the exports of 425 tonnes of mangoes already. Other than the US, the MSAMB aims to populate the shelves of markets in Australia, Japan, United Kingdom, and countries of the European Union.

Indian mangoes, especially the likes of Alphonso of Konkan, Kesar from Marathwada as well as Gujarat are hot export material. While the bulk of the mango exports goes to the Gulf countries, most farmers and exports aim for the developed countries as the returns are better. Indian farmers grow mangoes over 2.4 lakh hectares and as per the estimates, this season 21.79 million tonnes of mangoes would be produced. In the fiscal of 2022-23, India had exported 22,963.76 tonnes of the fruit.

Parthasarathi Biswas

Partha Sarathi Biwas is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express with 10+ years of experience in reporting on Agriculture, Commodities and Developmental issues. He has been with The Indian Express since 2011 and earlier worked with DNA. Partha's report about Farmers Producer Companies (FPC) as well long pieces on various agricultural issues have been cited by various academic publications including those published by the Government of India. He is often invited as a visiting faculty to various schools of journalism to talk about development journalism and rural reporting. In his spare time Partha trains for marathons and has participated in multiple marathons and half marathons. ... Read More

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