"The Alphonso mango is a new and interesting variation."

On January 20, 2015 the European Commission lifted the import ban on Indian Alphonso mango into the European Union. The exotic fruit was not allowed to be imported into the EU last year due phytosanitary reasons. Kartik Tagaré director of Baustok UG (Biothal), an import company from Hamburg, does have very specific plans on how he wants to bring the exotic mango to Europe and how to establish them on the German market: “Last year, we wanted to distribute our mangoes in German organic supermarkets. Our negotiations with those markets were already well advanced, but then Europe banned the Alphonso mango. This unfortunately threw a spanner in the works. However, now that the ban is lifted, we are able to continue our negotiations.” The Indian-born importer is familiar with the trade of exotic fruits. Among other things, the Indian papaya and pomegranate are part of Biothals product range.

A mango with a unique flavour
Now Tagaré would like to extend his product range with the Indian Alphonso mango. He explains, “We are able to supply the market with our organic and a non organic mangoes.” According to the Indian importer - especially the appearance of the mango is prominent, “It is particularly remarkable that the skin of the Alphonso mango is far more yellow than the skin of conventional mangoes. The Alphonso has its very own extremely intense and delicate taste with a unique flavour. It is much sweeter than the mangoes that we know from Brazil, Spain or Israel. All the people who have tried the fruit once, never want to eat any other type again.” He goes on to say, “The ratio of stone to pulp of the Alphonso is almost equal to other mango varieties. The Alphonso has maybe a little more pulp. Maybe ten to fifteen percent. But the Indian mango is also a little smaller than traditional mangoes. The weight of Alphonso lies between 250 and 350 grams per fruit.”

By air to Europe
The Alphonso mango will enter Europe by air, “We import the mango with a ripeness of 30 to 40 percent,” Mr. Tagaré states. “Then we have a storage life of eight to ten days. If the customer buys the fruit in the supermarket, he will be able to eat the fruit in one or two days. The mangoes will be delivered in square boxes. All boxes contain four to five mangoes. The prices for the Indian fruit will vary, depending on whether they are organic or not. However, Mr Tagaré reckons on a small price increase, “It is possible that this year the mango will be a little more expensive than normal. This increase will be caused by the special ‘Hot Water’ treatment against the fruit fly infestation.”

The organic supermarket as a stepping stone
The importer says, “For us it is a personal challenge to get the retail consumers excited about our product. The mangoes look different and firstly the buyers have to get used to it.” He wants to take the leap into the big supermarket chains through the organic supermarkets. Here he sees the right audience for the new mango variety, “We noticed that the organic-customers demonstrate a greater willingness to buy and try new products. It was also the same with the curcuma and lychee. Those have already made the leap from organic to normal supermarkets.”

First deliveries in early March
In India, Mr. Tagaré states, Biothal cooperates directly with the local growers, “My colleague Mr. Satyam Mishra in India takes care of the quality assurance. We have secured our supply chain completely and we must make sure that our products are truly organic. Our farmers and suppliers are certified by authorized inspection bodies of the European Union. Our harvested products are tested and inspected by TÜV-Nord. Only when they are giving the ‘O.K.’, will our goods be exported. Mr Tagaré expects the first deliveries of Alphonso in early March 2015.

Kartik Tagaré
Baustok UG
Bitterfelderweg 12,
65931 Frankfurt

Tel: +49 (0) 348 2 5959
Email: kartik@baustok.com
www.biothal.de