Indian consumers of the fruit rejoice, as European Union bans Mango imports

There is probably not even a kernel of truth in the importers’ fear that the estimated 16 million Indian mangoes usually headed for Europe in the summer — as compared to the mere half-million aam Indians who apply for European visas annually — will be burned by despondent Indian exporters because of the impending EU ban on them from May 1. Indeed, if El Niño leads to deficient monsoons in India, a bumper consignment of juicy mangoes in local markets courtesy the EU ban would certainly impart seasonal cheer to squeezed exporters and parched local consumers. While Europeans’ fear of desi parasites arriving as illegal immigrants along with the consignments has trumped their greed for mangoes, given India’s population and predilection for the fruit, none will be left unconsumed.

However, Britain — and indeed all European governments who will have to implement the ban — should watch out for the rise of local aam aadmis or aficionados, as they are likely to be incensed by this denial of their basic right to access the “king of fruits” because of the Brussels bureaucracy. Time is ripe for all sorts of revolutions and there is no telling what form this upsurge could take too, provoked by enticing images of their mango-sated counterparts elsewhere. After all, the adage goes, “If you can’t lick ’em, join ’em”….