Indian mango exports to the US are expected to hit a record level of 500 tonnes this year, according to the Indian government body Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).
The country shipped approximately 209 tonnes of mango to the US in 2012.Strong demand and an anticipated growing supply of export quality fruit are thought to be driving the record export levels.
However, APEDA has also raised concerns that inadequate irradiation centres for combating pests such as mango seed weevils and fruit fly are limiting exports from growing to greater levels.
India currently has only one irradiation centre, located in Maharashtra, with a processing capacity of just 10-15 tonnes per day.
Indian mangoes are being exported at Rs 150-175 (US$2.74-3.20) per kg, a similar price to last year.
India is presently the world’s largest mango grower, with overall domestic production for 2013 estimated at 1.5m tonnes. Mango export volumes for 2013 are expected to reach 83,000 tonnes.
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