Johannesburg, South Africa has given permission to import different varieties of mangoes from India, an official of India's agricultural export body said here.
Simmi Unnikrishnan, Assistant General Manager, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority of India (APEDA), made this announcement at the 'India Mango Utsav 2024' event at the Indian Consulate here last week.
Addressing local traders and media he said, "We got market access for mangoes last year and now we have shipped 1.5 MT of mangoes from Gujarat to India."
Guests at the event were given the opportunity to sample several varieties of Indian mangoes brought especially for the occasion – Alphonso, known as the King of Mangoes, Totapuri, Rajapuri, Badami, Kesar and Neelam.
Unnikrishnan said India is the largest producer of mangoes in the world, producing 50 per cent of global production, South Africa produces 17 per cent of the world's mangoes, and urged traders to import Indian mangoes and popularize them. Appealed for help.in South Africa.
“It was difficult to get permission from the South African government. There was a time when analyzes had to be done, as these come after common radiation treatments,” Unnikrishnan shared.
Speaking on the occasion, Consul General Mahesh Kumar said, “A lot of efforts have been made to get access to this market, so if we can import it and introduce it to people, we can get the data from next year. How many will we be able to determine? Able to sell into the South African market.,
Kumar said he believed importing Indian mangoes would be a viable proposition, especially since mangoes would be available to South Africans all year round, while the growing seasons are opposite in the hemispheres where India and South Africa are located. Are located.
Pranab Khattar, one of South Africa's leading distributors of Indian food products, said he had been asking APEDA every year to obtain the necessary import permission for mangoes since he started importing Indian goods in 2012.
“We are very happy that mango has now received official permission. Mango is so famous not only in India but all over the world. We will now approach the South African government to find out how much is the duty and VAT so that we can start importing next season,” he said.
“Just like our Indian groceries go from South Africa to neighboring states like Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe, mangoes will also go there, and I think there will be huge demand from wherever there is an Indian diaspora community ."" Khattar said.
“We are still in the very early stages, and pricing can only be determined later when we have all the details regarding freight costs, taxes and related matters,” he said.
Khattar said, "But I believe if you compare it here with the (top of the range) Heidi mango, which is the most expensive mango grown in South Africa, the Indian mango will be 100 per cent competitive with the local mangoes "
Saffron and Alphonso mangoes from India would likely be in Heidi's range, but other varieties would be cheaper, he said.
Khattar said mango pulp from India has been available in South Africa for many years because it is permitted as a fruit concentrate."Almost every Indian restaurant in South Africa that offers mango juice or mango lassi uses our pulp, which is imported from India," he said.
Unnikrishnan said she would provide details of exporters from mango producing states to India to potential South African importers so that they can enter into the agreement.
Kumar said that if the South African government demands market access for South African mangoes in India, it will be given due consideration.
“Our farmers benefit from access to markets. Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi has promised to double the income of every farmer, so it will be good for our mango growers also to benefit from this market,” Kumar said.
Simmi Unnikrishnan, Assistant General Manager, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority of India (APEDA), made this announcement at the 'India Mango Utsav 2024' event at the Indian Consulate here last week.
Addressing local traders and media he said, "We got market access for mangoes last year and now we have shipped 1.5 MT of mangoes from Gujarat to India."
Guests at the event were given the opportunity to sample several varieties of Indian mangoes brought especially for the occasion – Alphonso, known as the King of Mangoes, Totapuri, Rajapuri, Badami, Kesar and Neelam.
Unnikrishnan said India is the largest producer of mangoes in the world, producing 50 per cent of global production, South Africa produces 17 per cent of the world's mangoes, and urged traders to import Indian mangoes and popularize them. Appealed for help.in South Africa.
“It was difficult to get permission from the South African government. There was a time when analyzes had to be done, as these come after common radiation treatments,” Unnikrishnan shared.
Speaking on the occasion, Consul General Mahesh Kumar said, “A lot of efforts have been made to get access to this market, so if we can import it and introduce it to people, we can get the data from next year. How many will we be able to determine? Able to sell into the South African market.,
Kumar said he believed importing Indian mangoes would be a viable proposition, especially since mangoes would be available to South Africans all year round, while the growing seasons are opposite in the hemispheres where India and South Africa are located. Are located.
Pranab Khattar, one of South Africa's leading distributors of Indian food products, said he had been asking APEDA every year to obtain the necessary import permission for mangoes since he started importing Indian goods in 2012.
“We are very happy that mango has now received official permission. Mango is so famous not only in India but all over the world. We will now approach the South African government to find out how much is the duty and VAT so that we can start importing next season,” he said.
“Just like our Indian groceries go from South Africa to neighboring states like Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe, mangoes will also go there, and I think there will be huge demand from wherever there is an Indian diaspora community ."" Khattar said.
“We are still in the very early stages, and pricing can only be determined later when we have all the details regarding freight costs, taxes and related matters,” he said.
Khattar said, "But I believe if you compare it here with the (top of the range) Heidi mango, which is the most expensive mango grown in South Africa, the Indian mango will be 100 per cent competitive with the local mangoes "
Saffron and Alphonso mangoes from India would likely be in Heidi's range, but other varieties would be cheaper, he said.
Khattar said mango pulp from India has been available in South Africa for many years because it is permitted as a fruit concentrate."Almost every Indian restaurant in South Africa that offers mango juice or mango lassi uses our pulp, which is imported from India," he said.
Unnikrishnan said she would provide details of exporters from mango producing states to India to potential South African importers so that they can enter into the agreement.
Kumar said that if the South African government demands market access for South African mangoes in India, it will be given due consideration.
“Our farmers benefit from access to markets. Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi has promised to double the income of every farmer, so it will be good for our mango growers also to benefit from this market,” Kumar said.
