Mango exports likely reach 90000 tonnes in coming season

MUMBAI: Mango exports from the country may top 90,000 tonnes in the coming season while Dusseri from UP may be the seventh variety to be exported to Japan.

India exported approximately 75,000 tonnes of mangoes this season as against 65,000 tonnes in 2006, said a high official from the Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda).

“Country’s mango exports in value terms should cross Rs 300 crore this year at around 75,000 tonnes and may be 90,000 tonnes in the coming season,” Apeda director S Dave said on sidelines of a press meet. He said they are looking at exporting pomegranates, litchis and grapes to the US. “There is great potential in the US for Indian pomegranates,” Mr Dave said.

Apeda chairman K S Money earlier said they want maximum number of mango varieties to be exported to Japan. As of now, they are collecting relevant data for the possible export of Dusseri mangoes next season, he added. “India exported 138 tonnes of mangoes to Japan and negotiations are also on with Australia in this regard,” Mr Money said.

Mr Money said that all the four vapour heat treatment (VHT) plants, that are being established by Apeda, will start functioning from March 2008, the next mango season. The VHT plants are essential for treating Indian mangoes so that they meet Japanese health standards. These four plants are coming up at Vashi, Andhra Pradesh and UP at a cost of around Rs 30 crore.

Earlier, while announcing the international floriculture event to be organised at Pune in the first week of November, Mr Money said that floriculture exports from the country were around 381 crore in 2006-07 and for the current year, there should be a growth of 25-30%. Mr Money said that looking at the natural resources available, the quantum of exports are still less.

Mr Dave later said that in five years, floriculture exports have moved up from Rs 40 crore to around Rs 400 crore and he expects it to touch Rs 4,000 crore in the next five years.

The area under floriculture production has doubled during last decade to more that one lakh hectares and India has diversified its export market. In addition to Europe, India is the second larget supplier for flowers to Japanese market beside being a regular exporter to Russia, Australia and theMiddle East. India also has a big domestic floriculture market of around Rs 600 crore.