Indian Alphonso mangoes

India’s mango exports could almost double this season, if the country’s agricultural promotion body APEDA has its way.

The Indian mango export season, which has just started in the last few weeks and will run until May, could reach 80,000 tonnes for the 2012/13 financial year (April-March), according to APEDA.

Last season exports hit 46,500 tonnes, reported The Economic Times.

“The availability of export-quality mango depends on weather condition. If weather supports and the fruit supply is sufficient, then the total mango exports could touch 80,000 tonnes this year,” an APEDA spokesperson told the newspaper.

Shipments of Alphonso and Kesar mangoes from Maharashtra and Gujarat have already started, and the industry expects to send fruit to markets ranging from the UK to the US.

Indian mangoes will also hit the Australian market for the second time this year, according to the APEDA spokesperson, which will help lift export volumes.