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India to boost mango exports to Middle East
Wednesday, 04 June 2003, 19:30 IST
NEW DELHI: India is boosting mango exports to the Middle East by promoting newer varieties and extending the season by three months.
The move will give business rivals Pakistan tough competition in terms of mango quality and price. For many reasons, including logistical disadvantages compared to Pakistan, the high season for Indian mangoes in the Middle East has so far been restricted to the period between April and mid-May.
Exports have so far been restricted to the early part of the season because varieties from the north need more specialised handling.
This year promises to be different.
"This year we have decided to introduce north Indian varieties like Dussehri, Langda and Chausa in the Middle East and other markets in a big way to extend the season by three months till August," A.S. Rawat, general manager, horticulture, of the state-owned Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), told IANS.
Moreover, 90 percent of mango "shipments" would be transported by sea to cut down overhead costs and make Indian mangoes more competitive with the Pakistani varieties.
So far, Alphonsos and Banganapallis have dominated the export basket. Small amounts of varieties like Kesar, Rajapuri, Rumani and Totapuri were also exported to the Middle East.
Alphonsos are a speciality of Maharashtra and the Banganapalli is a southern Indian variety.
Said Rawat optimistically: "This year we are pushing ahead with the export of 11 more varieties of mangoes, with a focus on north Indian varieties like Dussehri, Chausa, Malda, Langada and Himgiri. Mangoes are proving a big draw not only with the Asian population in the Gulf but also the local Arabs.
"With better packaging we have taken care of the shorter shelf life of these varieties. They will now be able to compete with Pakistani varieties both on price and quality."
Rawat has just returned from a four-day mango promotion in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) held in association with the Emke Group of supermarkets.
Besides, APEDA is also focussing on innovative promotions in the Middle East and some key markets in Europe and Southeast Asia to create awareness about the hundreds of varieties of Indian mangoes.
The largest producer and consumer of mangoes, India has an estimated annual production of 12 million tonnes.
The Middle East accounts for 40 percent of India's estimated annual fresh mango exports of 40,000 tonnes. The response from new markets like Malaysia has been encouraging. Countries like Australia and Hong Kong are also potentially good markets that are expected to open soon.
Said Rawat: "This year we hope to increase our fresh mango exports from 
850 million during 2002-03 to around 1 billion."
India's mango exports, including processed mangoes, were around 3.92 billion last year. This is expected to reach 4 billion during 2003-04.
Helping India realise this target are new agri-export zones in the country. In Uttar Pradesh, Lloyd Insulations of the Punj Lloyd Group has taken over a state-owned modern packaging unit and is providing expert advice in cold chain management to farmers and exporters. With all these inputs, APEDA is hopeful of Indian mangoes fetching a better price overseas.
"Despite an estimated 20 percent drop in mango production in the northern belt, we hope to push ahead with exports of fine quality mangoes with the help of the new packaging facility," said Rawat.
The setting up of agri-export zones is helping exporters maintain a fixed time schedule for delivery.
APEDA is also finalising plans to host more promotions. Next on the calendar is Doha from June 10-14.
Source: IANS
850 million during 2002-03 to around 1 billion."
India's mango exports, including processed mangoes, were around 3.92 billion last year. This is expected to reach 4 billion during 2003-04.
Helping India realise this target are new agri-export zones in the country. In Uttar Pradesh, Lloyd Insulations of the Punj Lloyd Group has taken over a state-owned modern packaging unit and is providing expert advice in cold chain management to farmers and exporters. With all these inputs, APEDA is hopeful of Indian mangoes fetching a better price overseas.
"Despite an estimated 20 percent drop in mango production in the northern belt, we hope to push ahead with exports of fine quality mangoes with the help of the new packaging facility," said Rawat.
The setting up of agri-export zones is helping exporters maintain a fixed time schedule for delivery.
APEDA is also finalising plans to host more promotions. Next on the calendar is Doha from June 10-14.
Source: IANS