Mango exports take lockdown hit

Guntur: Covid-19 pandemic has badly hit the mango exports from Andhra Pradesh during this season. According to horticulture department officials, so far only 113 metric tonne (MT) mangoes have been exported to London, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Dubai, New Zealand and Switzerland from the state.

During the corresponding period last year, 835 metric tonne mangoes were exported to Europe, South Korea, Gulf, UK, Dubai, Hong Kong, China and Singapore.

Compared to last year, over exports dipped by more than 65 per cent during this season due to outbreak of Covid.

Due to virus, domestic and international flights have been cancelled. The farmers and exporters have suffered huge losses as there was no transport facility to transport the mangoes from gardens to cities for processing and packaging for exports.

Agriculture special chief secretary Dr Poonam Malakondaiah negotiated with the civil aviation department officials and arranged small cargo flights to export mangoes, fruits and vegetables.

As the airlines hiked charges to carry mangoes, the exporters had to spend more amount for exporting mangoes. Due to limited cargo flights and lack of proper transport facilities, the exporters were unable to export mangoes to other countries. Compared to last year, mango yield is less, and price is high. This is also one more reason for fall in exports.

Speaking to The Hans India, horticulture joint director Pavuluri Hanumantha Rao said, "We have targeted 10,46,514 metric tonne mango exports to other states during this season.

So far, traders have exported 7,46,514 tonnes to UP, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Pune, Chennai and other parts of the country. We are expecting Totapuri variety to be exported from Chittoor district soon."