Digvijaysinh Gohil, an importer of mangoes in England, expressed pride in the aroma that fills London’s Heathrow Airport when boxes of Kesar and Hapus mangoes from Gujarat arrive. People worldwide, especially across the seven seas, highly appreciate Gujarat’s Kesar mangoes and Maharashtra’s Hapus varieties. Despite the presence of mangoes from South American countries in international markets, the unmatched flavor and quality of Kesar mangoes have earned them the title of the “King of mangoes.”
The export of Kesar mangoes to the US and Europe involves meticulous processing at orchards and pack houses accredited by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). Samir Sapariya, the owner of ‘Kunj Cold Ware Solution,’ an APEDA-accredited pack house, highlighted the tailored processing for mango exports to various destinations like the US, England, the UAE, Australia, Europe, and Gulf nations. Different processes, such as ‘Hot Water Treatment’ for US exports and hot water treatment with ripening for England and Canada, are employed to meet specific market requirements.
The sourcing of Kesar mangoes from Junagadh, Talala, and Kutch, and Rajapuri mangoes from Valsad ensures a diverse range of mango varieties for export. The combination of quality products and modern technology has propelled the Kesar mango, originating from Gir orchards, to a global brand. With the establishment of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), farmers now have the opportunity to directly export their produce to foreign markets, enabling them to retain control over their sales and profits.
The formation of groups or FPOs by farmers not only facilitates streamlined production and export processes but also makes them eligible for government subsidies and support. Beyond mangoes, a broader initiative is underway to introduce Gujarat’s premium vegetables like G-4 chilies, okra, bitter gourd, ridge gourd, and sponge gourd to international markets using advanced processing methods. This expansion into vegetable exports is scheduled to begin post-monsoon this year.
