Indian mangoes worth Rs 4.28 crore to be destroyed in US, setback for India's agricultural exports

NEW YORK: The US decision has been a setback for India's agricultural exports. The US authorities have rejected 15 shipments of mangoes exported from India to the US due to documentation irregularities. The mangoes from India are stuck at the airports in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Atlanta. After the rejection due to documentation irregularities, the US authorities have asked the export agency to send it back to India or destroy the fruit.

Reports said that all exporters may destroy the mangoes there, considering the perishable nature of mangoes and the cost of return shipping. The estimated loss to exporters due to the US decision is Rs 4.28 crore. The US decision is also a setback for Indian farmers as it is mango season. The US is the most crucial market for India's mango exports. Indian exporters allege that the current problem is due to a mistake by the US authorities.

The mangoes were exported after the irradiation process was completed in Mumbai on May 8 and 9. This is a method of administering a specific dose of radiation to prevent pests. All these steps were carried out in the presence of an official from the US Department of Agriculture. He was the one who was supposed to certify the PPQ 203 form required for export. The exporters say that this officer issued a wrong PPQ 203 and that is why the mangoes were rejected.