Karnataka is all set to export 10,000 tonnes of mangoes, and this time the fruit will reach the United States and Malaysia too, according to the Karnataka State Mango Development and Marketing Corporation.
R. Roshan Baig, Minister for Infrastructure Development, said, “Karnataka generally exports a measly 500 tonnes to some European countries and Singapore. Hence, getting export orders of 10,000 tonnes is a big leap.”
This year, the State is expecting a bumper crop of nearly 13 lakh tonnes, which may hit the market from mid-May onwards, said M. Kamalakshi Rajanna, chairperson, State Mango Development Corporation. “Increased humidity without moisture has played spoil-sport to the otherwise good season that has seen a 58 per cent increase in production compared with last year,” she said.
Rajesh B. Hiremath, a farmer from Belagavi, said, “Increased heat and humidity with no moisture has resulted in 10 to15 per cent of the fruits falling to the ground.”
Tests for export
The export varieties have to undergo a series of tests conducted by the Innova Agri Biopark, Malur.
“The mangoes will be graded, sorted and dried. Then there would be a 48 degrees Celsius hot-water treatment followed by Ethylene ripening and packing,” said K.P. Venkatesh, Senior Manager, Innova Biopark.
He said this year, as many as 4,500 farmers have registered with them for exporting their produce. So far, 20 tonnes have already been shipped.
Karnataka generally exports around 500 tonnes to some European countries and Singapore
