Govt takes steps to check quality standard of mangoes as EU lifts ban

Export of mangoes, though insignificant in value, holds an emotional value being the 'king of fruits' for Indians. An international presence is also important because India happens to be the world's largest mango producer.

This is why its export ban or removal often makes headlines. The 28-member European Union has lifted the ban on Indian mangoes on Tuesday. The removal is timely as the mango season in India begins from February and lasts till August.

EU accounts for close to one-tenth of Indian mango exports. Among the EU nations, UK is the largest market for the fruit.

The ban was imposed from May 2014 after discovery of pests in a number of fruit and vegetable consignments imported into the EU during 2013. Lifting of the ban follows a detailed examination and study of Indian packing, pest control and certification facilities by the European Commission in September 2014.

According to the data with the Commerce Ministry's Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), India exported about 41,000 tones of fresh mangoes valued at Rs 285 crore in 2013-14. For perspective, this is just a fraction of the agriculture and processed foods exports of Rs 1,36,920 crore. Major export destinations are UAE, UK, Saudi Arabia and US. Interestingly, export of mango pulp (processed from mango) was much higher at Rs 773 crore. This is significant because the food processing industry is at a nascent stage in India.  

Mango has prominently featured in Indian diplomatic talks with the US in the past. In 2007, the Indian government relaxed emission and testing norms for import of Harley-Davidson bikes from the US, reciprocating the lifting of ban on Indian mangoes. The US had banned Indian mangoes during the late 1990s. Japan had also banned Indian mangoes for almost two decades and allowed imports again in 2006.

For maintaining the quality standards, India has set up state-of-the-art packing houses in major production zones. Keeping in view the importing countries' requirements, internationally recognized treatment facilities like hot water treatment, vapour heat treatment and irradiation facilities have also been set up at various locations. A unique product identification system, compliant with the traceability networking and Residue Monitoring Plan, has been developed for consumer safety.