Indian mangoes finally head for the United States

Apr 26, 2007, 15:07 GMT

New Delhi - The first consignment of Indian mangoes in 18 years, was ready for export to the United States where the fruit has been given clearance by regulators, an official statement said on Thursday.

A first shipment of 150 boxes of various mango varieties was likely to be dispatched on Friday. US authorities gave India's Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology the green light for the shipment on Wednesday, India's Commerce Ministry said in a statement.

The US had banned Indian mangoes on the grounds that the production method did not conform to US norms.

The ban was lifted after a recent meeting between Indian Commerce and Industries Minister Kamal Nath and US trade representative Susan Schwab. The two agreed that the mangoes would be passed through a radiation test according to US requirements.

In return, India agreed to allow the US sell Harley Davidson motorbikes in India, vehicles previously banned for failing to meet Indian emission standards.

India will initially export mangoes of varieties such as the Alphonso, Banganpalli and Kesar. Others, such as Langra, Chausa and Dussheri, would be exported later in the season, the statement said.

There is a strong demand for mangoes in the US, with an estimated market size of about 250,000 tonnes. Currently Mexico is the main supplier of mangoes to the US.