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APEDA to encourage mango exports by financing stationing of inspectors
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Libin Chacko Kurian, Mumbai
February 18 , 2015
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In a significant move to help Indian exporters entering Japanese mango
market, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development
Authority (APEDA) recently decided to bear 90% of the expenses incurred
for stationing of quarantine inspectors for three years (2015-17) in
India.
In this regard, APEDA had received representations from
mango exporters requesting to consider bearing of expenses of stationing
of Japanese Quarantine Inspectors in India during the Vapour Heat
Treatment (VHT) process to make Indian mangoes competitive in Japanese
market. Unlike the European Union or United States, Japan needs Vapour
Heat Treatment for all mango consignments to ensure food safety.
Indian
exports of mangoes to Japan were found to be low in the last two years,
compared to past statistics of exports from both India and its
neighbouring countries, mainly due to strict import regulations imposed
by Japanese government, according to some exporters. However, recently,
Japanese government took initiative to soften the regulations without
compromising on food safety. Japan has also exempted some of the crucial
inspections for Indian mangoes. Hence, Indian exporters are looking
forward to capture the Japanese market looking at new developments and
possible business development. Though Indian agri products have good
market in Japan, experience with regard to mangoes has been
discouraging.
Mayur Lathia, partner, International Trading
Corporation (the company is keen on exporting mangoes to Japan),
explained, “Japan is a potential market for Indian mangoes, if the
latter can withstand competition with other Asian countries. Business of
agri products is complicated due to different regulatory requirements
in different countries. Climate change also affects the market heavily,
which makes it unpredictable. Japan market is now open for Indian
exporters due to governmental interventions. APEDA is doing its level
best to encourage exporters, promote products and developing new
markets. So, Japanese market can be a game-changer for Indian exporters.
We are looking forward to enter the market very soon.”
For
almost two decades till 2006, Indian mangoes were banned in Japan due to
suspected pest infestation by fruit flies. Even after the lifting of
ban, Indian mangoes found it difficult to enter Japan market due to
expensive inspections and strict regulations imposed by it. The Japanese
mango market is largely dominated by other Asian exporters like
Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, Sudhanshu Pandey, deputy
general manger & regional head, Western region, APEDA, stated,
“Japan has a good mango market and Indian exporters can explore the
market with supported conditions. Fruits and vegetables being sent to
Japan need to be vapour heat treated. So APEDA had setup some vapour
heat treatment facilities in Vashi, Navi Mumbai; Uttar Pradesh; and
Andhra Pradesh. Exports of mangoes to Japan were not significant as
exporters were not interested in the market. Due to this, in the last
two years, Japanese inspectors were not called to India. But this year,
we are getting responses from exporters from different states who are
interested in exporting mangoes to Japan.”
He added, “Japanese
inspectors will be stationed in India for inspecting the consignments,
where vapour heat treatment facility is available. Under their
supervision, processing of mangoes can be done according to requirements
of quarantine department of Japanese government. APEDA and exporters
together will bear the expenses of stationing of quarantine inspecting
authorities in India. One request has already come from Uttar Pradesh,
so probably authorities will be stationing in UP. Japanese government is
very supportive in the process with Indian government. Not much exports
have happened even after lifting of ban in 2006, so APEDA is making all
efforts to help exporters enter the market.”
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