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Why did US reject 25 MT of mangoes? India alleges inspection lapse
Why did US reject 25 MT of mangoes? India alleges inspection lapse

Business Standard

time21-05-2025

  • Business
  • Business Standard

Why did US reject 25 MT of mangoes? India alleges inspection lapse

India has raised concerns over the rejection of 15 mango consignments by the United States, alleging that American inspectors failed to follow standard inspection protocols. The procedural lapse reportedly led exporters to destroy mango shipments, causing considerable financial losses, according to a report by The Economic Times. Due to the perishable nature of mangoes and the high cost of returning shipments, exporters chose to destroy the rejected fruit, resulting in an estimated loss of $500,000 (₹4.2 crore), The Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB), which operates one of the key irradiation facilities for mango exports in Mumbai, said on Tuesday: "Instead of discussing the matter with relevant agencies or notifying the facility beforehand, they (the inspectors) directly reported the alleged issues to their senior offices in the US, resulting in the rejection of the 15 consignments." US-bound shipments destroyed over documentation issues The rejected consignments — amounting to 25 metric tonnes from 10 exporters — had undergone irradiation at the MSAMB facility on May 8 and 9. According to MSAMB, the issue could have been resolved had the inspectors raised concerns with facility officials before issuing the necessary clearance document, PPQ203, required for mango exports to the US. Reports suggest that the affected shipments were held up at major US entry points, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta. The fruits had undergone mandatory irradiation, a pest elimination procedure monitored by a USDA-appointed inspector at the Navi Mumbai facility. Exports resume despite inspection setback Dosimeter readings — used to track radiation exposure levels—were not properly documented by facility staff during the inspection process, The Times of India reported. Despite the temporary setback, operations at the Mumbai irradiation facility have resumed. Between May 11 and May 18, mango exports from the Mumbai facility bounced back, with 53,072 boxes — equivalent to 185.75 metric tonnes — shipped to the US across 39 consignments, MSAMB reported. India currently uses three USDA-approved irradiation facilities for exporting mangoes to the United States, located in Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad. Indian mango exports to US on the rise Despite the recent setback, Indian mango exports to the US have been expanding rapidly. In FY24, export value surged by 130 per cent to $10 million, compared to $4.36 million the previous year. Mango varieties such as Alphonso, Kesar, Banganapalli, and Himayat have already secured market access in the US, along with North Indian varieties like Raspuri, Langra, Chausa, and Dasheri, which are also cleared for irradiation treatment. Governance framework behind mango exports India's mango export operations to the US are conducted under a Cooperative Service Agreement between the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and the US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The procedures are guided by an Irradiation Operational Work Plan, jointly developed by USDA-APHIS, India's National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) under the Ministry of Agriculture, and APEDA. The protocol involves sourcing mangoes from registered farms, processing them at APEDA- and NPPO-certified packhouses, treating them with hot water and fungicide, and finally irradiating them at USDA-certified facilities.

‘Instead of discussing the matter...': Row erupts over India's mango exports rejection; authorities say US inspectors did not follow protocol
‘Instead of discussing the matter...': Row erupts over India's mango exports rejection; authorities say US inspectors did not follow protocol

Time of India

time21-05-2025

  • Business
  • Time of India

‘Instead of discussing the matter...': Row erupts over India's mango exports rejection; authorities say US inspectors did not follow protocol

Various mango varieties, such as Alphonso, Kesar, Banganapalli and Himayat, have gained access to the US market. (AI image) The US rejecting mango consignments from India has led to exporters destroying the fruits resulting in big losses , and Indian authorities have alleged that America did not follow the standard procedure. After Indian authorities faced rejection of 15 mango consignments by the US due to procedural issues, they have said that US inspectors failed to adhere to the established protocol. Various mango varieties, such as Alphonso, Kesar, Banganapalli and Himayat, have gained access to the US market. Additionally, northern Indian varieties including Raspuri, Langra, Chausa, and Dasheri are successfully undergoing irradiation treatment for export purposes. The value of Indian mango exports to the United States has shown significant growth, increasing by 130% to $10 million in FY24, compared to $4.36 million in 2022-23. M by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Every Car Is Equipped With One, But Very Few People Know About It (2) Cleverst Undo aharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB), a government organisation operating an irradiation facility in Mumbai, issued a statement on Tuesday stating: "Instead of discussing the matter with relevant agencies or notifying the facility beforehand, they (the inspectors) directly reported the alleged issues to their senior offices in the US, resulting in the rejection of the 15 consignments." Also Read | Forced to destroy! US rejects 15 mango shipments from India, exporters estimate losses of $500,000 The statement also indicated that the losses could have been prevented if the US inspectors had raised concerns with facility officials before issuing PPQ203, which is required for US-bound mangoes. The state organisation confirmed that US authorities had declined 25 metric tonnes of mangoes from 10 exporters, all of which underwent irradiation on May 8 and 9. ET had reported the rejection of Indian mango shipments at several American airports, including Los Angeles, San Francisco and Atlanta. The mango shipments underwent mandatory irradiation treatment at the MSAMB facility in Navi Mumbai, where fruits were subjected to controlled radiation doses for pest elimination. This process was monitored by a USDA-appointed officer. Several government officials reported that the staff members on duty allegedly did not properly document the dosimeter measurements. A senior MSAMB official, requesting anonymity, confirmed that an investigation had been launched to identify the issues. Also Read | Big hit for Indians in the US! How Donald Trump's steps to curb migration, tax remittances may cost India billions of dollars Indian mango exporters currently have three facilities available for treating US-bound shipments, situated in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. A New Delhi official told the financial daily that the Mumbai facility's irradiation operations had resumed normal functioning after the temporary interruption caused by the data recording issue. The official stated, "While the error and its cause are being examined at the senior level by the facility management, the mango irradiation process and its clearance were normalised at the impacted facility with effect from May 10, with no impact on the other two approved facilities." MSAMB reported that from May 11 to May 18, exports resumed their regular pace, with 53,072 boxes (185.75 metric tonnes) of mangoes shipped to the US across 39 consignments from the Mumbai facility. The export operations are conducted under a Cooperative Service Agreement between APEDA and the US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The export protocol and operational guidelines are governed by the Irradiation operational work plan, jointly established by USDA-APHIS, the National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, and APEDA as the Co-operator. The process involves sourcing mangoes from registered farms, processing them at approved APEDA and NPPO packhouses, treating them with hot water fungicide, and finally irradiating them at USDA-certified facilities. Also Read | Why India can be a big winner of Donald Trump 2.0 era if it plays its cards right Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now

Mango Row: Maharashtra govt agency alleges US inspectors skipped standard procedures
Mango Row: Maharashtra govt agency alleges US inspectors skipped standard procedures

Time of India

time20-05-2025

  • Business
  • Time of India

Mango Row: Maharashtra govt agency alleges US inspectors skipped standard procedures

Pune | New Delhi: Following rejection of 15 consignments of Indian mangoes by the US due to procedural lapses, the Indian authorities have claimed that the American inspectors did not follow the protocol. "Instead of discussing the matter with relevant agencies or notifying the facility beforehand, they (the inspectors) directly reported the alleged issues to their senior offices in the US, resulting in the rejection of the 15 consignments," Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB), a government arm housing an irradiation facility in Mumbai, said in a statement on Tuesday. It further said that had the American inspectors flagged the issues to facility officials prior to issuing PPQ203-a mandatory document for US-bound mangoes-"the losses could have been avoided." Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your IQ Is 140 If You Can Answer 10 Of These Questions Correctly IQ International Undo The state agency also confirmed that the US authorities had rejected a total of 25 metric tonnes of mangoes from 10 exporters-all irradiated on May 8 and 9. ET was first to report about the rejection of Indian mango shipments in multiple American airports including Los Angeles, San Francisco and Atlanta. Live Events The affected mango consignments were irradiated- a mandatory treatment that exposes the fruit to controlled doses of radiation to eliminate pests- at the MSAMB-operated facility in Navi Mumbai. The process was carried out under the supervision of an officer deputed by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). According to multiple government sources, the executives on duty allegedly failed to properly record the dosimeter readings. "We have initiated an inquiry to determine what went wrong," said a senior MSAMB official, speaking on condition of anonymity. At present, mango exporters in India have access to three irradiation facilities located in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, and Mumbai for treating US-bound consignments. Meanwhile, the irradiation operations in Mumbai have been normalised after the brief disruption due to a data recording error, an official in New Delhi said Tuesday. "While the error and its cause are being examined at the senior level by the facility management, the mango irradiation process and its clearance were normalised at the impacted facility with effect from May 10, with no impact on the other two approved facilities," the official said. Between May 11 and May 18, around 53,072 boxes (185.75 metric tonnes) of mangoes were exported to the US in 39 consignments from the Mumbai facility, MSAMB has said, indicating that exports have since returned to normal. These mangoes, including Alphonso, Kesar, Banganapalli and Himayat are now being sold in the US market. Northern varieties such as Raspuri, Langra, Chausa, and Dasheri are also being irradiated and exported successfully. India's mango exports to the US have risen 130% to $10 million in FY24 from $4.36 million in 2022-23. The exports of mangoes to the US are done under the Cooperative Service Agreement between APEDA (Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) and the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The actual procedure and the terms and conditions for operationalising mango exports come under the purview of the Irradiation operational work plan signed between USDA-APHIS, the National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO), under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and APEDA, as the Co-operator. As per the work plan, procurement of mangoes is done from registered farms, which are then graded and sorted at APEDA and NPPO-recognised packhouses, then followed by fungicidal treatment of hot water and finally irradiated at USDA approved irradiation facilities.

Explainer: How a single paperwork error got 15 Indian mango shipments rejected by the US and left exporters furious
Explainer: How a single paperwork error got 15 Indian mango shipments rejected by the US and left exporters furious

Time of India

time20-05-2025

  • Business
  • Time of India

Explainer: How a single paperwork error got 15 Indian mango shipments rejected by the US and left exporters furious

At least 15 mango consignments from India have been turned away at US entry points, including airports in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta, due to documentation irregularities. Exporters claim that the shipments had met all export treatment requirements, but discrepancies in paperwork led to the rejections. With no viable option to re-import, the shipments were destroyed, resulting in a loss estimated at $500,000 (around ₹4.28 crore). Exporters say mangoes were treated as required The mangoes were subjected to irradiation — a standard treatment meant to remove pests and satisfy US import requirements — at a USDA-approved facility in Navi Mumbai on May 8 and 9. Exporters stated that the treatment was completed under the supervision of a US Department of Agriculture (USDA) officer and that the mandatory PPQ203 form, which certifies this process, was issued. One exporter said the USDA officer issues the PPQ203 only after the treatment is confirmed. 'If the treatment was not conducted, how did we get the form and clearance to ship?' he asked. Incorrect paperwork cited as cause for rejection Despite the completed treatment, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) denied the mangoes entry, citing errors in the PPQ203 certification. According to a USDA communication sent to one of the exporters, the form was 'incorrectly issued' and the shipment 'must be re-exported or destroyed.' The USDA also clarified that it would not cover the costs of either re-export or disposal. Given the perishable nature of mangoes and high freight costs, exporters chose to destroy the shipments in the US. Responsibility shifted to irradiation facility Exporters insist the problem lies with the facility managed by the Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB), where the irradiation was conducted. 'There were no pests. The paperwork problem occurred at the irradiation centre,' one exporter explained, adding that they were being held accountable for a process they did not control. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), which falls under India's commerce ministry, acknowledged the issue but referred all questions to MSAMB, stating that the matter falls under its jurisdiction. MSAMB has not yet responded to the requests for clarification. Wider implications amid ongoing trade talks The US continues to be the primary destination for Indian mango exports. Rejections over procedural errors during the peak season have highlighted challenges in trade execution. This comes as the two countries are working to finalise a broader trade agreement. While the US claims that India has proposed a deal with virtually no tariffs, Indian authorities have offered limited comment on that front. According to The Economic Times, the first phase of the trade deal is expected to be concluded in the coming months.

15 mango shipments from India rejected at US entry points
15 mango shipments from India rejected at US entry points

Express Tribune

time19-05-2025

  • Business
  • Express Tribune

15 mango shipments from India rejected at US entry points

Listen to article At least 15 shipments of Indian mangoes have been rejected by United States authorities at key entry points due to documentation errors, leading to an estimated loss of around $500,000 for exporters during the peak season. The shipments, which arrived at airports in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta earlier this month, were denied entry after US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) flagged issues with the PPQ203 form, a required phytosanitary certificate. Exporters were given two options—either destroy the fruit or bear the cost of sending it back to India. Given the perishable nature of mangoes and the high expense of re-export, all the affected exporters chose to dispose of the consignments within the US. The financial loss is estimated at $500,000. Industry players say the setback is especially damaging as the United States is India's most lucrative market for mango exports. According to exporters, the mangoes had undergone mandatory irradiation at a USDA-approved facility in Navi Mumbai on 8 and 9 May. The treatment is essential to eliminate pests and meet US import norms. However, US officials found discrepancies in the accompanying paperwork. A USDA notice to one exporter cited an 'incorrectly issued PPQ203' as the reason for rejection and instructed that the fruit 'must be re-exported or destroyed'. Exporters argue the error lies with the Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB), which runs the irradiation centre under USDA supervision. 'The USDA officer only issues the PPQ203 after the treatment is complete. If something was wrong, why were we cleared for export?' questioned an exporter whose shipment was held at Los Angeles between 9 and 11 May. Another exporter said, 'There were no pests found. We are being penalised for mistakes we didn't make.' The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), which operates under India's commerce ministry, acknowledged the problem but directed queries to MSAMB, saying it falls under their jurisdiction. MSAMB has not commented publicly on the issue. The incident has caused concern within India's horticulture export sector, with stakeholders demanding accountability and clearer communication to prevent future losses.

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