AP’s Mango Export to See Rise After Treating Them Against Pests

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh would see a significant rise in mango exports to countries such as the United States, the European Union, Australia and several southeast Asian nations, with the irradiation centre at Mallavalli Food Park near Vijayawada becoming fully operational by the next mango season.

The privately operated irradiation centre has obtained mandatory licences from the Department of Atomic Energy and received radioactive material required for gamma irradiation. The facility can be used to sterilise medical equipment and treat fruits and vegetables by eliminating harmful bacteria and pests, including fruit flies and weevils in mangoes.

At present, AP exports around 200 tonnes of mangoes annually, including varieties such as Banganapalli, Rasalu and Kesar. Horticulture officials and farmers expect exports to increase to nearly 2,000 tonnes once the irradiation centre becomes fully functional.

Under bilateral trade agreements, importing countries prescribe specific treatment protocols for mangoes. Exports to Japan require vapour heat treatment, while South Korea and Singapore mandate hot water treatment. In the case of the US, mango consignments must be certified by an official from the US department of agriculture before export.

The state is also focusing on pest control at the cultivation stage by encouraging farmers to use protective covers made from wood pulp on mango fruits. The practice has been adopted in around 15,000 hectares across parts of Rayalaseema, NTR, Krishna and Guntur districts with government support.

Andhra Pradesh cultivates mangoes on nearly four lakh hectares and recorded production of about 30 lakh tonnes this year, compared with 38 lakh tonnes last year. Good-quality mangoes, particularly those protected with covers, fetch between Rs.35,000 and Rs.40,000 per tonne, while lower-grade produce sells for Rs.20,000 to Rs.25,000 per tonne.

Exporters and farmers are looking to the irradiation facility to strengthen overseas shipments after some countries tightened import norms. Japan suspended imports of Indian mangoes after identifying compliance issues at pack houses, while Nepal also imposed restrictions after detecting high levels of pesticide residues.

Horticulture joint director Deva Muni Reddy said efforts are being made to increase exports by promoting good agricultural practices and ensuring that mangoes are treated in accordance with the standard operating procedures prescribed by importing countries.

“We are hopeful of increasing our mango exports to overseas countries by encouraging farmers to adopt good cultivation practices and also to treat the mangoes as per SOPs of receiving countries to make them free from pests,” he said.