The Commerce Secretary also asked the APEDA to explore the higher possibilities as to how the exports of agri products could be multiplied with sea route. This channel would be cheaper and reduce the exporting cost for the exporters, she felt.
The Commerce Secretary elaborated that despite India growing multiple varieties of mangoes yet their exports are confined to only two to three varieties, therefore, APEDA should take initiatives to promote multiple varieties of mangoes so that exports could be accelerated.
Ms. Teaotia said that India is the fruit basket of the world and provides a large number of varieties of quality and tasty tropical fruits of large range.
She informed that India is the largest producer of the Mangoes in the world which is treated as king of fruits which has made a place of pride in the fruit basket of the country with a production of around 41% of total world production. India grows nearly 1000 varieties of Mangoes across the country and out of these 11 commercial varieties are grown in more than 10 States.
With this strength, India exports Mangoes to more than 50 countries and has reached to an export of 52,761 MT MT in 2016-17.
She highlighted that export of Agri Products has been the priority of the government. APEDA through Ministry of Commerce and Industry has been instrumental in promoting quality agri-products. As per its mandate, APEDA has provided support for the required Infrastructure across the country in terms of Packhouses with Post-Harvest Treatment facilities and Centre for Perishable Cargo Agro Complex at major Airports.
This has helped the industry to increase their exports of quality produce up to a large extent. Considering the requirement of Food Safety and Traceability by importing countries, India has taken number of measures by strengthening the backward linkage in the production supply chain, setting up of required infrastructure in terms of Packhouses and Post-Harvest Treatment Facilities which has enabled to get market access for fruits in various countries in the past, she added.
A very good response has been received from State Governments. 13 State Governments like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, UP, West Bengal, Tripura have participation in event. These state governments have organised their participation by display of range of fruits grown in their State on commercial scale. The Central Research Institute, DFRL and Indian Institute of Packaging also joined the event and displayed their packaging developed for fresh fruits and vegetables, he said.
According to him, the possibilities are rising for larger acceptability of Indian mangoes and other tropical fruits in large number countries such as Japan, China, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Iran, Bahrain Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Ghana, Israel, Thailand, UK, Mauritius, Malaysia, Greece, Egypt and UAE.
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