Speaking on the sidelines of a seminar on mango exports, organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), R K Mondal, regional in-charge, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority(APEDA), said, Alphonso mangoes in Maharashtra have been largely damaged by a genetic disease called, Spongy Tissue, making mangoes unsuitable for exports.
However, this year mango exports from the country are likely to cross 100,000 ton, against 80,000 ton last year due to a good second crop, he said.
Also the export realisation this year from mangoes would exceed that of last year's at Rs 100 crore, he added.
"We need to change our mode of transport, and stress on exporting mangoes by sea, rather than by air to reduce the freight cost," Mondal added.
Meanwhile, West Bengal, which accounts for almost 40 per cent of the country's exports, mainly to Bangladesh, might not be able to tap the European and American markets this year, as it has envisaged earlier, due to damage caused by the rains, admitted state horticulture minister Mohanta Chatterjee.
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This year, almost 50,000 ton of mangoes from West Bengal have been exported to Bangladesh.
In West Bengal, early and continuous rains have reduced also farmers' income by almost 40 per cent.
According to Jabir Hussain, a mango orchid owner from the Nadia district of West Bengal, continuous rains for twenty days hit the local market price of Himsagar and Langara variety of mangoes.
Prices fell from Rs 10-12 per kg to Rs 6 per kg, as black spots on the fruit appeared soon after the downpour.
With a view to increase exports, West Bengal identified 7,000 hectares of barren land in traditionally non-mango growing districts of Hooghly, Bankuram West Medinipore and Purulia for Alphanso cultivation.
Last year, about 10,000 saplings were planted in the areas, said Pijush Kanti Pramanick, director of horticulture, West Bengal.