Indian Mangoes Set Sail For Italy: Ten Tonnes Of Chausa Sent For Trial Shipment From Lucknow

In a move aimed at promoting agro-based exports from north India, a trial shipment of ten tonnes of the Chausa variety of mangoes left for Italy on 15 July from Uttar Pradesh Mandi Parishad Pack House in Mallihabad of Lucknow, a Ministry of Commerce and Industry statement said on Thursday (18 July).

The consignment was sent from Lucknow to Pipavav Port, Gujarat, by road through refrigerated containers. It will then be shipped to Italy via Spain. The total voyage time will be around 20-22 days from Lucknow to Italy.

The shipment was financially supported by Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The trial shipment was flagged off by Director, UP Mandi Parishad, R K Pandey, and AGM APEDA, Dr C B Singh in the presence of officers from different departments, said the statement.

Usually, mangoes are exported from Uttar Pradesh to Europe by air which involved high costs. Exporting mangoes to Europe through air cargo costs Rs 120 per kilogram against Rs 28 per kilo when sent via sea route.

India’s agricultural exports from hinterland areas is limited due to structural challenges in cold chain logistics. To overcome this problem, new scientific techniques are being used by exporters to improve shelf life of mangoes, the statement said.