The Chinese will get a taste of Indian mangoes next year, industry sources say. The confidence stems from a phytosanitary protocol signed in Beijing on Monday, which will facilitate Indian mango exports to China.

So far, mangoes were unable to squeeze their way into the neighbouring market because of the stringent quarantine restrictions in China.

Statistics provided by the Agricultural and Processed Food Export Development Authority show that India exported mangoes worth around Rs 81 crore (Rs 810 million) in 2001-02. Of this, exports to China were less than Rs 2 lakh (Rs 0.2 million).

An official with Apeda said: "Indian mangoes have not been able to penetrate China because of the pest-free zone and quarantine restrictions which are in place there.

Although Indian exports to China are currently nil, the Chinese market does receive Indian mangoes routed through Hong Kong. Indian exports to Hong Kong stood at Rs 16 lakh (Rs 1.6 million) in 2001-02."

"We expect the scenario to change," said Vinita Sethi, deputy director of Ficci, which has taken a 25-member team to the country. 

She said: "After China's accession to the WTO, Chinese tariffs in a wide range of fruits imported by the country have dropped substantially. Indian exporters should target China with niche products such as mangoes, grapes, pomegranates, apples, etc and with `processed food' products.

India exports mangoes all over the world. The US, United Kingdom, South East Asia and Bangladesh are the primary export markets. Exports turnover in 2001-02 touched Rs 81 crore (Rs 810 million) as against Rs 69 crore (Rs 690 million) registered in the year ago representing a 17 per cent growth.