There is no mango export season this year: exporters; want to tap domestic market

April 17, 2020: As Covid-19 pandemic is making havoc across the globe and many uncertainties regarding trade are prevailing, Indian exporters fear that there will be not mango export season this year and wants to tap the domestic market instead.

Indian produce around 40 percent of the world’s mango and the quality of Indian mangoes help exporters to market it around the world.

Karan Mange, supply chain manager, Kay Bee Exports said “This year’s mango exporting is a concern for us. The USA is an important destination for our mango with high demand. There is a protocol in place to export mangos to the USA. A US inspector comes to India, inspect the cargo and then we export it to the country. With Covid-19 affecting the US so badly, we don’t think such a system will work effectively.”

He was speaking during the webinar conducted by Indian Transport & Logistics News on perishable supply chain amid Covid-19 on April 16, 2020.

US, Europe, Japan, Korea and the Middle East
Ravindra Ranga Rao, deputy GM & regional head, Western Region, APEDA said “Right now we have already exported 1000 metric tonnes of mango from Mumbai by sea to the Middle East. The mangoes which go by air are mainly to Europe, the US, Japan and Korea. The United States has already made it clear that their inspector is not going to come to India. So the 1300 metric tonnes of mangoes we used to transport will be at stake. Japan also used to send their inspectors to India, but has now authorized the Indian inspectors to do the treatments and sent the cargo. We are yet to hear from South Korea. Hot water treatment is required for the European Union which will be starting by April 28 onwards.”

Domestic market
Riday Kirit Bhuptani, chief operating officer, Ashvina Trading said “We are looking into the domestic market which will get the export quality this season as we take care of these mango trees not just in the season but for the whole twelve months of the year. There is no mango export season for us this time.”

Kaushal Khakhar, chief executive officer, Kay Bee Exports said “We already had plans to extend ou business to the domestic market. I think we have to rush now. It is also wise to have an equal share on both international and domestic market.”