)
Switzerland has lifted its ban of last year on import of mango from India.
This is not a large market for our mangoes but the move could ease shipment to other countries in Europe. India exports to some major European countries, such as Britain.
According to trade sources, the Swiss ban was in retaliation for last year’s suspension by India in import of chocolates and other confectionery products.
The Swiss embassy has said exporters must ensure the fruit is free from harmful organisms.
Mauritius had in March lifted a ban on import of Indian mangoes. In the same month, the European Union had made a similar announcement, with some riders. India assured the EU and the other importing nations that mango exports would be done only through entities registered with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda).
The agriculture ministry’s plant protection directorate and Apeda have been in dialogue on the measures to be adopted for ensuring pest-free fruit from India.
“We have advised our members to adhere to global standard norms, including vapour heat treatment or hot water treatment and other global grading norms, for smooth exports of mango to Switzerland,” said Tarun Bajaj, general manager, Apeda.
The flip side in the opening of new markets for export is less supply for the home market. This has already been hit due to crop damage in unseasonal rain. The Dussehri variety is currently available at Rs 90 a kg, as against Rs 50-55 a kg around the same time last year.
Insaram Ali, president, All India Mango Growers’ Association, estimated a 40 per cent decline in mango production this year. However, the National Horticulture Board’s first advance estimate puts output at 25.67 million tonnes in 2014-15 as compared to 25.15 mt the previous year. Mango export from India declined 25 per cent in volume terms at 41,280 tonnes in 2013-14, as compared to 55,585 tonnes the previous year, though it was marginally higher in value terms, at $50.6 million versus $48.5 mn in 2012-13.
This is not a large market for our mangoes but the move could ease shipment to other countries in Europe. India exports to some major European countries, such as Britain.
According to trade sources, the Swiss ban was in retaliation for last year’s suspension by India in import of chocolates and other confectionery products.
The Swiss embassy has said exporters must ensure the fruit is free from harmful organisms.
Mauritius had in March lifted a ban on import of Indian mangoes. In the same month, the European Union had made a similar announcement, with some riders. India assured the EU and the other importing nations that mango exports would be done only through entities registered with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda).
The agriculture ministry’s plant protection directorate and Apeda have been in dialogue on the measures to be adopted for ensuring pest-free fruit from India.
“We have advised our members to adhere to global standard norms, including vapour heat treatment or hot water treatment and other global grading norms, for smooth exports of mango to Switzerland,” said Tarun Bajaj, general manager, Apeda.
The flip side in the opening of new markets for export is less supply for the home market. This has already been hit due to crop damage in unseasonal rain. The Dussehri variety is currently available at Rs 90 a kg, as against Rs 50-55 a kg around the same time last year.
Insaram Ali, president, All India Mango Growers’ Association, estimated a 40 per cent decline in mango production this year. However, the National Horticulture Board’s first advance estimate puts output at 25.67 million tonnes in 2014-15 as compared to 25.15 mt the previous year. Mango export from India declined 25 per cent in volume terms at 41,280 tonnes in 2013-14, as compared to 55,585 tonnes the previous year, though it was marginally higher in value terms, at $50.6 million versus $48.5 mn in 2012-13.
