Indian mangoes head to America

New Delhi, Apr 26 (UNI) The first shipment of Indian mangoes destined for the United States will clear Indian customs today since Washington lifted the ban last year.

''Bringing Indian mangoes to the United States is just one step in increasing agricultural trade between the two countries,'' US Ambassador David C Mulford said in a statement.

This, he said, would fulfil a pledge US President George W Bush made in March last year to open the American market to India mangoes, an important national symbol in India.

The first shipment of 150 boxes of Alphonso and Kessar mangoes will depart Mumbai by air for New York early tomorrow morning.

Demand for mangoes in the united States is strong, with a market size estimated at about 250,000 tonne.

Currently, the leading exporter of mangoes to the united States is Mexico followed by Central American countries.

According to experts, interest in Indian mangoes in the United States may be strong, driven partly by the large and growing Indian population there.

There is no import duty on mangoes exported to the US.

The US Department of Agriculture worked with India's Ministries of Commerce and Agriculture to develop a facility in Lasalgaon, Maharashtra, that clears Indian mangoes for the US market.

UNI