Indian farmers and exporters of commodities still embargoed by the European Union should follow the example set by the mango sector, according to a leading figure within the country’s premier national institute for agricultural research. 

The Indian Agricultural Research Institute's (IARI) fruit and horticultural division head Anand Singh said he was thrilled mango exports to the EU could resume after the lifting of the ban earlier this week, but wanted to see restrictions eased on other items.

"Improved mango quality always fetches better prices in India as well as elsewhere. I think with an improved set of production practices such as GAP, improvements in hygiene, minimal or no use of pesticides, quality standards and improved packing, all these aspects together commands greater market access," he told www.freshfruitportal.com.

"Improved techniques to effectively control the menace of fruit fly in mango and its deployment in core production areas will certainly assure what the European Union needs from mango.

"There is a little disappointment though with regard to other banned commodities but I am sure the mango success will affect gourd growers to follow the mango in ways to contain the fruit flies for any EU market access."

At the same time Indian mangoes were initially restricted last May, two types of gourd - the taro plant and eggplant - were also banned amid serious concerns over fruit fly contamination.

Currently the ban remains in place until December 2015, whilst EU mango imports will resume in the coming weeks once the legislation has been formally adopted and published by the European Commission.

Britain is the biggest export market for Indian mangoes within the EU and the U.K.’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has been heavily involved with supporting the Indian sector to make improvements.

Defra officials will closely monitors mango imports from India once they resume in the coming months.

A statement says checks will continue to ensure the safety of produce entering the EU ‘and to determine whether restrictions should also be lifted on four other products suspended at the same time as mangoes'.

Defra adds that the decision on possibly lifting restrictions on other produce will be taken in light of whether improvements seen by the EU’s Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) are sustained and whether interceptions of plant pests associated with other products, not subject to suspension, remain at low levels.

"If so, this will demonstrate that there has been an improvement in the Indian export system as a whole, justifying the removal of all restrictions," the statement adds.

Better quality fruit leads to greater market access

Singh says the 'good news' continues to spread around the Indian mango sector with producers and traders in buoyant mood since Tuesday’s (Jan. 20) decision to lift the ban which crippled the export campaign last year.

"The news is being received with very positive note, particularly by the traders.

"We too are happy with the development from more than a business point of view. For mango producers it will provide an opportunity to know their mangoes are accepted after being produced under improved conditions, not only for export but equally for domestic consumption.

"Export volume of mango from India to the EU may not be voluminous, nevertheless its sheer presence will continue for future expansion of the EU market."

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Photo: Lufa Farms, via Flickr Creative Commons

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