European Union’s decision to lift the seven month ban on import of Indian mangoes has brought cheer to the mango growers and exporters in Salem and Krishnagiri.
Alphonso mangoes are raised on 6,000 acres in Salem district and over 5,000 acres are under cultivation of table varieties of mangoes in Krishnagiri district.
Farmers in Krishnagiri who suffered a loss last year because of the ban are hopeful of a revival this year.
Each export variety fruit is grown to weigh 300 gm to 400 gm.
“We used to sell them for exports at Rs.100 a kg. Soon after the ban, we had no option but to sell it for Rs. 30 to Rs. 40 a kg. Now, with the ban lifted, we hope to make a profit this season,” said Rama Gownder of Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam.
The scale of finance for manufacturing export quality mangoes is very high. The ban last year had led to a steep loss for farmers, who were ready with their cultivated varieties, he says.
Though Salem ‘Alphonso’ mangoes have carved out a prestigious place of its own in the South Indian market, they are not exported to the European Union.
Yet, revival of bulk export of Alphonso from the North Indian States will ultimately increase the demand for Salem Alphonso in the country, said A. Jayapal, president of the Salem Mango and Other Fruit Merchants’ Association.
The lifting of the ban has immensely pleased the mango growers and dealers alike in Salem district as elsewhere in the country. It will improve the image of Indian mangoes as a whole in the world market, said a cross section of the mango traders.
The Salem Alphonso was exported mainly to Singapore, Malaysia and West Asian countries. The other famous varieties such as Salem Bengalura, Imampasand, Nadusalai etc are all choice varieties which have good demand in the local markets itself.
Since the EU has stringent conditions for the import of mangoes, the Salem traders found it very difficult to cope up with the same. Hence they preferred to export the mangoes to Gulf and East Asian countries, he says.
“The sudden ban imposed on the import of Indian mangoes shocked the entire mango trading community.
Now we heave a sigh of relief and we welcome it. We are all happy that this decision will pave way for more exports to European countries which in turn will boost the Indian economy,” he said.
According to Mr. Gownder, who cultivates all table varieties on 15 acres, “We cultivate export varieties such as Alphonso and Sendhura organically for the export market. These table varieties fetch a high price.”
The neighbouring Dharmapuri has over 500 acres under export variety mangoes. Besides the pulp exporters, who rely on rejected fruits for the pulp export market, exports of table varieties provide a remunerative bargain for the farmers here.
