Mango exports may halve on climate, insect woes

Even as newer markets for Indian mango are being explored, lower crop size has restricted exports of the summer fruit this year. Going by the claims of the exporters, due to sharp fall in the mango production across various States, exports will come down by half of what was seen last year.

“Mango production across the country hasn’t been very encouraging this year. As a result, mango exports this year will be less by over 50 per cent of last year’s estimated exports of over 46,000 tonnes. Exports from Uttar Pradesh will be negligible as multiple factors caused a dent in the production. Whatever export is happening, it is from Maharashtra and South India,” said S Insram Ali, President, Mango Growers Association of India.

Temperature hurdles

According to Ali, mango crop in Uttar Pradesh has fallen by half from estimated 55-60 lakh tonnes (lt) to about 30 lt.

“The fall is due to bad weather and insect issues. Another major aspect is lack of export incentives from the government such as increase in air freight subsidy to ₹30 against ₹13 currently. This is discouraging exports,” he said.

In Gujarat’s Kutch region, the adverse climate condition has taken a toll on the mango crop.

“We have experienced the impact of climate change on the kesar variety. We have been cultivating this variety in Kutch since 1995 and this is the first year we have seen only 30 per cent flowering,” said Batuksinh Jadeja, an exporter.

Normally, flowering starts from January 15 and lasts till February 15. But this year the change in climate has disturbed the flowering cycle and impacted the crop.

“The production is only 30-40 per cent of the normal season. The season has got shortened by half, hence we see a similar decline in the exports,” said Jadeja, adding that prices are relatively stable as against last year at $20 per box of 3-kg alphonso variety.

A Mumbai-based exporter, however, believed that exports continue to take place from across the country, but the mango availability has dropped by more than 30 per cent.

“The crop is less by about 30 per cent as compared to last year. Exports are taking place but not as much as last year. The season is likely to get over very soon by about June-end. In normal scenario, exports get extended till July. For alphonso and kesar varieties, the arrivals will trickle down by June 15. After that, other varieties such as langda and dashehari will be available,” said Rajesh Jagtap of M&J Enterprise, Vashi, Mumbai.

Quality norms

While export demand is strong from Singapore, US, Europe, Australia, Japan and Korea, Jagtap underlined the lack of export incentives from the government. The European Union bloc along with Japan and Mauritius opened their doors for Indian mangoes recently. However, exports to these regions are subject to processing. Shipments to Japan and South Korea require vapour heat treatment, while those to US and Australia require gamma radiation treatment.

“These facilities are not available easily to all exporters. There is only one such facility in Gujarat, and the other nearest is in Mumbai,” said Jadeja.

During April-December 2017-18, India shipped out 46,562 tonnes of mangoes valued at ₹346.34 crore. . Shipments to West Asian countries — the largest market for Indian mangoes — stood at 30,985 tonnes valued at ₹233 crore during the year. In 2016-17, exports had touched a high of 52,761 tonnes valued at ₹443.66 crore.

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