Challenges for Alphonso Mango Exporters as Russia-Ukraine, Palestine-Israel Conflicts Disrupt Shipping Routes

Ratnagiri: The vicious cycle behind Alphonso mangoes, which have suffered from ever-changing weather and pests, is far from over. While the mango, also known as Hapus, which has survived weather and pest attacks, is now making its mark on the market, the Russia-Ukraine and Palestine-Israel wars have now affected the export. The war has made Hapus' journey by sea difficult. So far, 986 tonnes of mangoes have been exported from Vashi; However, further exports have come to a halt, according to the Agricultural Marketing Board. Despite the demand and prices of mangoes abroad, exports have stopped, causing losses to orchardists and exporters.

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Till the first week of May, 986 tonnes of mangoes have been exported from the Agricultural Marketing Board's Quarantine Facility in Vashi, Mumbai. The highest number of 825 tonnes of mangoes were exported to the US. 15 tonnes of mangoes have been exported to Australia, 99 tonnes to New Zealand, 35 tonnes to Japan, and 12 tonnes to Europe. In other countries, fewer mangoes have been exported. Of this, 35 per cent is Hapus from Konkan.

The vicious cycle behind Hapus has continued for the past few years. Despite facing many problems, the production of Hapus has been good this year. However, due to the lack of a conducive environment for exports, exports have been stalled. The mangoes exported are booked in advance. After the start of the season, it is processed and exported to the quarantine center at the export center.

If you get a combined booking of 408 boxes of 1200 kg at a time, they are sent by plane or ship. However, exports by sea have come to a standstill as Palestinian pirates have taken control of the sea. There were as many as 25 export opportunities by sea this year. However, that opportunity has been lost only because of the war. At present, exports to Mauritius, Russia, and Malaysia are completely closed. While maritime traffic has been suspended, air traffic has also been affected.

The target was to export 5,000 tonnes of mangoes this year, But only 986 tonnes of mangoes have been exported. The season runs through June 30. It is expected that 2,000 metric tonnes of mangoes will be exported. According to reports, 350 tonnes were exported from the export center at Lasalgaon in Nashik, while very little was exported from the Ratnagiri center.

This year, despite the outbreak of pests, the mango crop was saved. As a result, mango production has been good; But the economic calculations are in shambles as the expected rate has not been achieved compared to the production. Foreign exports have been affected by the Russia-Ukraine and Palestinian-Israeli wars. As a result, prices have also fallen. Gardeners are now suffering a double whammy. - Rajan Kadam, mango orchardist, Ratnagiri.