The establishment of an air cargo logistics hub at Manohar International Airport has initiated the export of mangoes from India's Konkan region. The inaugural shipment, comprising 3,368 kg of Alphonso mangoes, was dispatched to Sharjah via an Air Arabia flight. Officials from GMR Goa International Airport Limited (GGIAL) anticipate exporting a total of 600 tons of mangoes to Europe and the UAE in the forthcoming months.
The mango consignment was facilitated by ShivKonkan Farmer Producer Company Ltd and Shreevali Agro, originating from Maharashtra's Sindhudurg district, part of the renowned Alphonso belt that includes Ratnagiri and Devgad. These mangoes are in demand internationally for their taste and aroma, according to a GMR Goa Air Cargo official.
GGIAL has established a dedicated packhouse near the airport terminal for cleaning, sorting, and preparing farm produce for export. The previous year, the cargo hub managed 140 metric tonnes of mango shipments exported to Europe and other regions, including a minor quantity to Muscat, Oman. The airport also exports lady fingers, bottle gourd, and guavas.
An official stated, "By enabling direct air exports, we're not just reducing transit times, but also ensuring that the perishable cargo reaches global markets in peak condition." The airport's cargo hub is becoming instrumental in handling temperature-sensitive produce, presenting new business opportunities for local farmers and exporters. This shipment's success is expected to enhance the region's agri-export potential and support the rural economy across the Konkan belt.
Source: Times of India
