Kutch kesar mangoes to go overseas

After UK and Taiwan, growers eye markets in Canada, Middle East and Africa

Kutch is surely going global, if mango exports are any indication. The kesar mangoes of Kutch district are all set to make a foray into the Middle East, Canada and Kenya markets.

Spurred by the success of the Kutchi kesar variety of mangoes in the UK and other European countries, the government is also urging the region's growers by way of subsidies to increase mango production.

Around 250 tonne of kesar mangoes were exported to the UK, Taiwan and parts of Dubai last year, which brought in Rs 1.5 crore worth of foreign exchange.

"We are venturing into African and Middle East countries. Many fruit dealers from Dubai, China and Kenya have shown a keen interest in importing this variety," said Batuk C Bhai Jadeja of Ashapura Firm and Nursery in Kutch, one of the major growers of mangoes in Kutch.

"The kesar mangoes are in huge demand in the UK and we deal through the London-based fruit merchant Kingsbury Fruit and Vegetables," he said. Growers said the reason for the popularity of kesar mangoes abroad is their sweetness and distinct saffron flavour.

"Kesar mangoes of Kutch have more total soluble solid (TSS) matter than other mangoes produce in the country, which makes it more popular. Also, its sweetness and kesar flavour are its claims to fame. Pesticides are not used in the production of Kutch kesar mangoes, which creates a demand for these in the international market," said S B Moradia, deputy director of district horticulture of Kutch.

The Kutch kesar mangoes replaced the Pakistani variety called chorso in the UK market, added Moradia.

Around 3,500 hectare of land is under kesar mango cultivation in Mandvi, Anjar, Bhuj Mundra and Nakatana taluka of Kutch district.

According to Moradia, the production has gone up to 30,000-35,000 metric tonne, up by 10,000-15,000 tonne last year.

Moradia lamented the lack of infrastructure and said it seriously crippled the prospects of exports.

"Kutch kesar variety has a lot of potential to earn foreign exchange. Though the government has taken the matter seriously and lots of subsidiaries have been given to the farmers to grow more mangoes in the region, infrastructure is not enough, he said.

He added, "Currently, only one private airline is running its services to export mangoes from Bhuj. There is a need for providing a separate cargo service to handle at least 20 tonne of mangoes on a daily basis instead of the current three tonne."

The Kutch kesar mangoes are available in the domestic market for Rs 20 to 25 per kg.