Indian mango exports could rise by up to 9% this season to touch the 50,000 metric ton (MT) mark, a government agricultural authority official has told the Press Trust of India (PTI). 

An official from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) told PTI harvests had begun in the country's south and west, while campaigns in northern states like Uttar Pradesh are set to start in mid-June.

"Around 200MT of mangoes have been exported so far this month. The exports will pick up pace in the coming weeks," the official told PTI.

The story reported volumes would rise given new export destinations like South Korea and Australia had opened up for the fruit, while more mangoes would also be shipped to New Zealand.

The government has forecast a higher total production as well, up from last year's 18.6 million MT to 19.21 million MT, the story reported. 

The New Indian Express reported mango exports were set to rise from the state of Karnatka, with a big uptick in shipments to the U.S.

A representative of the Karnataka State Mango Development and Marketing Corporation Limited (KSMDMC) told the publication that until last year the state's mangoes were shipped to the U.K., Australia, Gulf countries and Malaysia.

"This year, we are setting a target of 10,000MT of mangoes to be exported. We already have confirmation from the U.S. for 2,000MT," the source was quoted as saying.

"We are also anticipating an order from South Korea."

Photo: www.shutterstock.com

www.freshfruitportal.com