Japan has lifted export ban on Indian mangoes: Jairam Ramesh

Tirupati, Jan 6 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh today said Japan had lifted the export ban on Indian varieties of mangoes and hoped the US would follow suit.

Inaugurating a conference on local mangoes here, he said 30 per cent of Indian mangoes for export was produced from Andhra Pradesh.

For the benefit of mango farmers, the Centre would initially promote fresh mango and later take steps for exporting mango pulp.

Later, Mr Ramesh laid the foundation stone for a Rs 10 crore 'Vapor Heat Treatment Plant' (VHTP) here for disinfestation of mangoes.

He said the APEDA would sanction grants to set up a storage complex here.

The plant would export fresh mangoes from Chittoor to Japan.

The first consignment would leave for Japan in June.

He asked the officials concerned to involve Self Help Groups (SHGs) in mango exports.

UNI