India’s mango exports horizon expands

India’s mango exports horizon expands
(Words:510)

In a major move to boost mango exports from India’s eastern region to the middle east, a consignment of GI-certified Fazil mangoes from Malda district of West Bengal was exported to Bahrain, on Saturday.

Despite the logistical challenges posed by Covid-19 pandemic, India has expanded its footprint of mango exports to newer countries this season.

About Fazil Mangoes:

The Fazil mango is especially celebrated among all other varieties of mangoes, for its delectable taste, size and weight.

It gets its name from Fazli Babu, associated with Fazal Bibi of Arapur village. The variety is harvested exclusively in the Malda district of West Bengal. It weighs up to 700-1500 grams.

The pulp is light yellow in color and slightly hard, yet juicy. The amount of fiber found in this variety is minimal. Thus, it’s used extensively for making pickles and jam-jellies. Further, it’s sure to captivate your senses with its mesmerizing aroma.

Indian Mangoes rule the world:

India exported sixteen varieties of mangoes, including three GI-certified varieties: Khirsapati, Lakshmanbhog from West Bengal, and Zardalu from Bihar to Bihar, last month.

Further, a week-long Indian mango promotion program was also organized in Bahrain where 16 varieties of the fruit including the three GI certified varieties of mangoes were displayed.

India houses 1500 varieties of the ‘king of fruit’:

Mango is rightly postulated as the ‘king of fruit’ for its distinctive taste and manifold health benefits. India houses about 1500 varieties of mango, each unique in its taste, color, and shape.

These different species of mangoes are found in different corners of the country, mostly in the summer months starting from April to August.

Season marked by extensive export of GI-tagged items:

This season has been particularly beneficial for the Indian agriculture and floriculture industry, with the extensive export of India’s GI-tagged items, abroad. It has also ushered positive change in the lives of farmers, involved in the harvest of these GI-tagged items.

Apart from multiple varieties of mangoes, GI-tagged Jasmine and other traditional flowers were exported to UAE and the USA, this season. Further, delectable and succulent ‘Mishri’ variety of cherries from Kashmir was exported to Dubai.

During the start of the season, the GI-certified ‘Shahi litchis’ was exported from Bihar to UK, amid the pandemic.

The relentless contributions of APEDA to promoting exports:

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, APEDA was established in December, 1985 by the Government of India for exports promotion of select agricultural products.

Since then, it has been initiating measures to boost agricultural exports from the non-traditional regions and states of India. It has been conducting virtual buyer-seller meets and festivals to promote mango exports. This shipment to Bahrain comes a few days after APEDA organized a mango promotion program at Doha, Qatar. Nine varieties of mangoes including GI certified from West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh were displayed at the stores of importer Family Food Centre at the promotion program.

APEDA has also been conducting virtual buyer-seller meets and festivals in Berlin, Germany to further promote mango exports.