New Delhi, Jan 11 :India would export mangoes to the US from coming season with the arrival of Alphonso variety of mangoes in March.

Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday said that export of Indian mangoes has been restricted by the US since 2020 as United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspectors were unable to visit India for inspection of irradiation facility due to restrictions imposed on international travel because of Covid-19 pandemic.

Agriculture Ministry and the USDA had signed a framework agreement for implementing the 2 Vs 2 Agri market access issues following the 12th India-US Trade Policy Forum (TPF) meeting held on November 23, 2021.

Under the agreement, India and the US would follow joint protocol on irradiation for India’s mango exports and pomegranate exports to the US and import of cherries and Alfalfa hay from the US.

“A revised work plan has been worked out, including phase-wise transfer of oversight of preclearance of Irradiation treatment to India as agreed upon between both the countries,” the Commerce Ministry said.

The Ministry said that there is a huge acceptance and consumer preference of Indian mangoes in the US as India had exported 800 Metric Tonnes (MTs) of mangoes to the US in 2017-18 and the export value of the fruit was $ 2.75 million.

Similarly, in 2018-19, 951 MT mangoes of $ 3.63 million were exported to the US and 1,095 MT of $ 4.35 million of mangoes were export to the US in 2019-20.

“As per estimates received from the exporters, the export of mangoes in 2022, may surpass the figures of 2019-20. The USDA approval would pave the way for exports from traditional mango production belts such as Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana,” said the Commerce Ministry.

Exports from India continue to boom despite Omicron surge. In the first week of January (1-7), exports soared to $ 7.63 billion logging 33.16% growth over the same period of 2020-21.

Export excluding petroleum has increased in this period by 24.97% over same period of 2020-21 and up by 44.92% over same period of 2019-20.(UNI)