New Delhi
The Central Government has
secured the approval of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for
export of Indian mangoes to USA in the new season. Consumers in the United
States (US) would now have access to excellent quality mangoes from India.
The export of Indian mangoes has been restricted by the
USA since 2020 as USDA inspectors were unable to visit India for inspection of
irradiation facility due restrictions imposed on international travel because
of Covid-19 pandemic.
Recently, in pursuant to the 12th India – USA Trade
Policy Forum (TPF) meeting held on November 23, 2021, the Department of
Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and US Department of Agriculture (USDA) have
signed a framework agreement for implementing the 2 Vs 2 Agri market access
issues.
Under the agreement, India and the US would follow joint
protocol on irradiation for India’s mango exports and pomegranate exports to
the US and import of cherries and Alfalfa hay from the US.
A revised work plan has been worked out, including
phase-wise transfer of oversight of preclearance of Irradiation treatment to
India as agreed upon between both the countries.
As part of the mutual agreement, India will be able to
export mangoes to the USA in the mango season commencing with the Alphonso
variety of mangoes by March onwards. Notably, there is a huge acceptance and
consumer preference of Indian mangoes in the USA as India had exported 800
Metric Tonnes (MTs) of mangoes to the USA in 2017-18 and the export value of
the fruit was USD 2.75 Million.
Similarly, in 2018-19, 951 MT mangoes of USD 3.63 Million
were exported to USA and 1,095 MT of USD 4.35 Million of mangoes were export to
USA in 2019-20.
As per estimates received from the exporters, the export
of mangoes in 2022, may surpass the figures of 2019-20.
The USDA approval would pave the way for exports from
traditional mango production belts such as Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export
Development Authority (APEDA) said that this would also provide an opportunity
for the export of other delicious varieties of mangoes from North and East
India such as Langra, Chausa, Dushehri,
Fazli, etc from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal.
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