India may export mango to Australia
Australia approved the policy of importing Indian mangoes in 2008. However, the trial shipments of mangoes treated with vapour heat treatment (VHT) reportedly faced quality issues. The Australian authorities recently visited the irradiation facility at Lasalgaon near Nashik and Maharashtra.
Both the Indian and Australian governments are currently working on preparing the standard operation procedures (SOP) for mango export. If the SOP is prepared this season, then there is a possibility of sending trial shipments of the Chausa and Langda varieties in July after irradiation.
Mangoes are irradiated at the Lasalgaon facility where the US officials remain physically present. Mango export has declined 30% from 83,703 tonne in 2008-09 to 59,220 tonne in 2010-11. Export for the juicy fruit to the US has also declined during the same period.
The Middle East still remains the main market for Indian mangoes, as market entry is currently easier than it is for the US or Australia.
Mango exports to Japan, which needs VHP treatment, have declined 88% during 2008-09 to 2010-11. "Indian mangoes become very expensive by the time it reaches US or Japan. After the tsunami, the demand for Indian mangoes has declined in Japan.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
