India faces ‘big loss’ as US rejects 15 mango shipments

India’s mango exports have taken a major hit after authorities in the United States (US) rejected at least 15 shipments at Los Angeles, San Francisco and Atlanta posts.

As per the details, the mangoes were turned away not because of quality but due to problems with the documentation.

The mangoes had already gone through the necessary safety process called irradiation on May 8 and 9 at a US-approved facility in Navi Mumbai. The process kills harmful pests and is required for mangoes entering the US. However, despite meeting the treatment standards, customs officials rejected the shipments due to incomplete or incorrect paperwork.

Exporters had to make a tough choice: either send the mangoes back to India or destroy them in the US. Since mangoes spoil quickly and the cost of returning them was too high, they decided to dispose of the fruit locally. This led to an estimated loss of $500,000 – a major blow during the peak mango season.

The US is India’s biggest buyer of mangoes and so the disruption is a serious concern for the industry. Exporters are now criticising the lack of coordination between Indian and American authorities and are demanding better communication and systems to avoid such problems in the future.

This incident has not only caused financial damage but also hurt India’s reputation in international fruit markets. Experts are urging the government to take urgent action to improve export procedures so that simple paperwork mistakes don’t end up harming farmers and exporters again.