Mango exports to further dip this year

30-40% crop damage to reduce availability, prices to remain firm

After a decline of 25 per cent in 2013-14, mango export from India is likely to again fall this year by 25-30 per cent.

Unseasonal rain and hail during the flowering season are estimated to have damaged the crop by 30-40 per cent, especially in the north.

Intermittent storm in the first week of March hit the flowers and emerging buds.

“Lower availability will have a cascading effect on exports, with 25-30 per cent lower shipment this year,” said Insaram Ali, president, All India Mango Growers’ Association.

Before the hailstorms, the National Horticulture Board’s second advance estimate forecast output at 19.27 million tonnes this year as compared to 18.43 mt last year.

“There is no doubt at all that output would be lower this season, due to crop damage by unseasonal rain and hail.

“Its impact would be both on prices and exports,” an NHB official has now said.

Ali says prices will be at least 25 per cent higher this year over last year.

India competes with Pakistan and Taiwan for mango export to European countries and West Asia.

People of Indian-origin elsewhere also buy from India.

While export in quantity terms is expected to remain low this year, realisation might be high.

Official data showed export at 41,280 tonnes worth $50.6 million in 2013-14, as against 55,585 tonnes worth $48.5 mn in 2012-13.

The European Union has lifted a year-old ban on mango import from India but the government here has not yet issued a Standard Operating System for export.

Exporters have urged the government to raise the transport subsidy to 70 per cent from the existing 30-40 per cent.

“With 30-40 per cent subsidy, we become uncompetitive in exporting countries,” said Ali.