Mangoes

Last year the state shipped 48 tonnes of mangoes to the UK, Japan, Singapore,The Indian state of Uttar Pradesh is set to double its mango exports this year with the Langda, Chausa and Dusshehari varieties among the most popular.

Last year the state shipped 48 tonnes of mangoes to the UK, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, China and the Middle East, and this year exporters believe they could reach 100 tonnes, the Financial Express reported.

'Both Chausa and Langda are in great demand for their shelf life and this year Malihabadi mangoes, which have got Geographical Indicator (GI) status, are also in demand,' said an official from state agricultural export body Mandi Parishad.

'The total production of mangoes in Uttar Pradesh is 3.2m tonnes this year as against 1.8m tonnes last year. But when compared to our huge production figures, the export order looks tiny.

'That is mainly due to the fact that our farmers are not aware of the stringent qualifying norms that have to be followed to export our produce to international markets.'

The official said training must be provided for famers in order for them to achieve GAP standards for their produce, allowing more international markets to be reached.

'Once they taste success, many others will follow suit. If we can do this, we will soon be among the top mango exporting states in the country.'

At present Maharashtra is India's largest mango exporting state, followed by Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh.