THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Mango export in India has made huge strides by utilising radiation processing to meet international phytosanitary standards, particularly for markets like the USA. After resuming exports in 2007, India has seen steady growth with shipments reaching 2,500 tonnes in 2023 and 3,000 tonnes in 2024. India resumed mango exports in 2007 after an 18-year break, following the commissioning of the KRUSHAK irradiation facility. In 2006, KRUSHAK was upgraded to quarantine treat mangoes, and received approval from the USDA for exporting Indian mangoes to the USA.
Though Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Bihar, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu produce mangoes, export is mostly made from Maharashtra and Gujarat.
A total of 28 food irradiation plants are there in India. The Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB) has leased KRUSHAK to irradiate mangoes, onions, spices, and food grain. This treatment ensures mangoes are free from pests, allowing them to meet the phytosanitary requirements of many countries. It also increases the shelf life and the ability to supply high-quality, irradiated fruit.
According to data from BARC, India’s mango exports have shown steady growth since 2007 when 157 tonnes were exported to the US. The numbers climbed consistently, with 1,150 tonnes exported by 2017, 2,500 tons in 2023, and projections reaching 3,000 tonnes by 2024.
“This shows the increasing global demand for Indian mangoes and the success of radiation processing in meeting international quality standards,” said P A Hassan, scientist and associate director of bio science group at Homi Bhabha National Institute.
The US has been a major importer of Indian mangoes since 2007, and India has successfully made it into other markets as well. Australia joined the list of export destinations in 2017, Malaysia in 2022, and South Africa more recently in 2023. India’s mango export industry marked another milestone last year with its first successful sea-route shipment to the US. Utilising BARC-developed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and radiation-treated mangoes, 16 tonnes of the fruit were shipped and it reached the USA in 25 days.
The shift from air to sea-route exports has brought many advantages for stakeholders. The cost of sea shipping is just one-eighth of air freight, drastically reducing the overall costs of export. Also, the sea route allows for larger shipments.
Year of Mango Quantity
Export in tonnes
2007 157
2008 300
2009 121
2010 95
2011 84
2012 210
2013 281
2014 295
2015 329
2016 750
2017 1,150
2018 1,200
2019 1,070
2022 1,086
2023 2,500
2024 3,000
