An EU delegation has visited India as part of an inspection to monitor the progress made in phytosanitary measures for mango exports, prompting expectations that the current European ban on the fruit could be reviewed shortly.

Back in May, India’s 'king of fruit' was banned amid serious fruit fly concerns after a raft of consignments were found to breach regulations. The ban, which also included eggplant, two types of gourd and the taro plant, is currently in place until December 2015 but could be reviewed much sooner.

A European Union Food and Veterinary Office team have visited Indian packhouses, cold storage facilities and investigated practices at Mumbai airport in relation to mango exports.

Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) fruits and horticultural technology division head Anand Kumar Singh explains the inspection has gone very well and could lead to export restrictions being lifted sooner than expected.

"India is not a big exporter of banned commodities to the EU in terms of quantity or money. However, such restrictions earn an unpleasant reputation to a commodity and the place of its origin,” he tells www.freshfruitportal.com.

"Nevertheless, the EU team has visited the packhouses at Bangalore, Mumbai and Kochi.

"I have been given the impression that the team was happy with the new and improved system. The closing of the ban might be announced in a meeting at the weekend."

The EU ban for Indian mango caused controversy earlier this year and put a strain on many Indian-British businesses who import Indian varieties, mainly the Alphonso, during a short seasonal window.

When the ban was first announced, Leicester East MP Keith Vaz started a campaign to reverse the embargo before the limited season finished for 2014. However, this didn’t happen and instead an audit, as has now happened, was promised.

Eyeing new markets for Indian mango export

In addition to the possibility of the ban being lifted, Indian exporters have been searching for new markets for their prime produce and raising the profile of mango for the domestic market.

"Notable is the fact that several exporters are of the opinion to explore the domestic opportunities with strategic marketing rather than depending hugely on exotic markets," Singh says.

"Elsewhere, they are looking for other destinations where export is hassle free with almost the same profit margins.

"In years to come it may not be difficult to export our mango or other horticultural stuffs in several new markets. The demand of such items has spiked in recent times and I hope it will continue."

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