The first batch 600 kgs of the choicest Alphonso and Kesari mangoes grown in Gujarat and Maharashtra reached New York, touching the US shores after 18 years.The mangoes were dispatched from Mumbai in the presence of officials from US Consulate and APEDA and senior scientists of BARC.The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology (BRIT) received a green signal from US quarantine regulators on April 25.
The US had stopped import of mangoes as it felt Indian farmers used too much pesticides, according to Agricultural Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).However, it has been revived after US President George W. Bush's visit to India last year.The US Department of Agriculture has finally decided to grant market access for Indian mangoes, thus paving the way for start of mango imports from India to the US.
Initially, India is likely to export Alphonso, Kesar and Banganapalli -- the early maturing mango varieties. Langra, Chausa, Mallika and Dussheri are proposed for exports in the latter part of the season.Demand for mangoes in the US is strong, with a market size estimated at about 25,000 tonnes, according to US officials.
(source:IBNlive.com)
