EU ban on import of Indian mangoes casts shadow on mango producers

SILIGURI: The ongoing ban on the import of Indian mango by EU countries have cast its dark shadow on the mango sector in West Bengal, one of the largest mango producing belts in India, as the region is entering the peak season for the perishable fruit harvesting. Reeling from the blow, Indian exporters are now seeking diplomatic support to have the crisis sorted out.

Though officially imposed only a couple of days back, the ground level effect has started surfacing with the beginning of harvesting of this fruit of which India is the world's largest producer.

The Indian mango sector has always remained dependent on the world market to fetch proper price for our premium varieties. Now, "After the ban, we have two options. One: accept a drastic price fall by releasing the entire stock in domestic market. That will cause long-term ill effect on the trade. Or two: allow the stock to go waste. Both are equally unacceptable," said Mr. U Saha, General Secretary, West Bengal Exporters Coordination Committee.

West Bengal, one of the largest contributors to the national mango yield of around 152 lakh tonnes, has an area of around 1 lakh hectare in Maldaha and Murshidabad districts under mango cultivation. The state produces around 6.2 lakh tonnes. With the domestic market being the main consumer, export is a major money earner for the premium varieties.

The European Union imposed the ban on Indian mangoes after it found flies in a significantly high number of fruits. Last year, India's mango export was worth $48 million. The EU accounted for 14% of this market.

Though the EU is not a big market for exporters from West Bengal, the ban there may cast a shadow in imports by other countries too. "Bangladesh, the largest importer of West Bengal mango, imports the fruit to re-export after processing to different countries in the world market including the EU countries. Naturally, they are also now going slow in buying from us. Thus, problems in mangoes from one region has caused trouble for mangoes from the entire country," said Mr. Saha.

At this juncture, exporters are seeking support from the Commerce Ministry to take up the issue at diplomatic level to find an acceptable solution.

As reported, After writing to EU to withdraw the ban, now the government is in the process to seek a solution to this at the World Trade Organisation platform.