The Airports Authority of India (AAI) plans to develop a dedicated cargo facility at Keshod Airport in Gujarat to support exports of the region's Kesar mango. The project, scheduled for completion in 2027 alongside the airport's expansion, aims to strengthen export logistics and connect local growers directly with overseas markets.
Keshod is located near the key mango-growing districts of Junagadh, Gir Somnath, and Amreli. Across 11 districts in Saurashtra, Kesar mango cultivation covers nearly 40,000 hectares, producing around 280,000 metric tons annually. Despite holding a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, most of the crop remains within domestic markets due to logistical constraints.
Over the past five years, Gujarat exported around 3,000 metric tons of mangoes, while Maharashtra exported over 40,000 metric tons due to better connectivity. Transporting fruit from Saurashtra to Mumbai, about 800 kilometres away, increases the risk of spoilage and quality loss during transit.
"Keshod Airport's old terminal will be repurposed for cargo movement once the new terminal is operational," said airport director Shafique Shah. "We have got in-principle approval for warehouses, cooling units, and X-ray facilities," he added.
The Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) in Talala, the main auction centre for Kesar mangoes, currently provides export services such as hot water treatment, grading, and packing. However, gamma irradiation facilities required for exports to the United States and Canada are located only near Ahmedabad, about 300 kilometres away.
According to local officials, the new cargo setup will reduce transportation time and cost while improving fruit quality for export. "Cargo facility will be a game-changer for Saurashtra farmers," said Tushar Dhameliya, director of a Farmers Producers Organisation (FPO). "It will enable direct exports from Gujarat and help farmers secure much better prices by cutting out middlemen."
Two models are being considered for the export operation: airlifting mangoes to Mumbai for final shipment or establishing a seasonal customs clearance facility at Keshod during the mango harvest period.
The Keshod Airport expansion, valued at about US$43.5 million, includes construction of a new terminal building capable of handling 800 passengers, expansion of the runway from 1,371 metres to 2,500 metres, and development of a new Air Traffic Control tower and technical block. The Airports Authority of India has acquired about 83 hectares of land for the project, which is expected to be completed by mid-2027.
Source: The Times Of India
