ND: Indian mangoes head to United States

New Delhi, Apr 27: The first shipment of Indian mangoes destined for the United States will clear Indian customs today, fulfilling a pledge President Bush made in March 2006 to open the U.S. market to Indian mangoes.

David C. Mulford, U.S. Ambassador to India, said, "We have followed through on President Bush's pledge to open U.S. markets to Indian mangoes, an important national symbol in India. Bringing Indian mangoes to the United States is just one step in increasing agricultural trade between the U.S. and India."

The first shipment of 150 boxes of Alphonso and Kessar mangoes will depart by air from Mumbai bound for New York early Friday morning. The initial mangoes come primarily from orchards in Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Demand for mangoes in the United States is strong, with a market size estimated at about 250,000 tons. Currently, the leading exporter of mangoes to the United Sates is Mexico, with Central American countries following.

According to experts, interest in Indian mangoes in the United States is strong, driven partly by the large and growing Indian population there. There is no import duty on mangoes exported to the United States.

OneIndia News

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