Mango exporters fear a significant decline in shipments even as the European Union has lifted the ban on Indian mangoes. They feel the king of fruits may not be able to withstand the condition of being treated with hot water for an hour. Government agencies like Agricultural and Processed Foods Exports Development Agency said they initiated scientific trials of mango treatment to assess this claim.
The EU reversed the two-year ban it had imposed on the import of Indian mangoes, citing evidence of fruit flies, after its team visited facilities in the country and the authorities promised that mangoes meant for exports will be treated with hot water so as to rid them of the same.
Unlike the produce from other prominent mango-exporting countries, Indian mangoes are exported via air, which keeps the eggs of fruit flies alive. A fruit fly cannot survive in cold temperatures of storage in the sea route.
Officials in the ministry concerned told ET the decision of hot-water treatment was taken based on existing data available from government agencies. Accordingly, the mangoes have to be treated at 48 degree Celsius for one hour. However, Sanjay Pansare, a prominent wholesaler of mangoes and a member of Agricultural Produce Management Committee (APMC) said, "Mangoes will be destroyed if we treat them at the prescribed temperatures. Our own research shows that we can get rid of fruit flies if we treat mangoes at 55 degree Celsius, for just six minutes."
According to traders, 40% of the mangoes that arrive at the Vashi APMC are exported, 35% of them to the Middle East. Of the total mangoes that go to Europe, about 70% are Alphonso. APEDA is optimistic about finding a solution before April when exports to the EU are due to begin.
"We have awarded a project to the Dr Balasaheb Savant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli and the Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board to study hot-water treatment of mangoes. Their report is expected to come by the end of March or first week of April," said Sudhanshu, deputy general manager of APEDA.
In a response to the ban imposed by the EU, Maharashtra, the biggest mangoexporting state in the country, has implemented 'Mangonet', a traceability system that is successfully used in export of grapes and pomegranates. "We have registered 3,500 orchards under Mangonet and these farmers have also been trained," said Govind Hande, Maharashtra's phytosanitary officer. Irradiation and vapour heat treatment are the other two methods of treating mangoes.
The US insists on irradiation and sends its own inspectors for supervision of mango treatment, while Japan has asked for VHT. The EU does not approve of irradiation of fruit and vegetables.
Source:economictimes.indiatimes.com
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