Indian mango imports: Nepal ban raises pesticide and export image concerns

Mango growers in Uttar Pradesh have objected to Nepal’s ban on Indian mango imports. Growers said the step could harm the global standing of Indian mangoes. Nepal cited heavy pesticide use and missing quarantine facilities near the border. The Uttar Pradesh government said the ban was unlikely to cut farmer incomes much.

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Nepal’s decision followed a recent move by Japan. Japan suspended imports of fresh mangoes from India for the current season. That suspension stopped shipments of several Indian mango varieties. Growers in Malihabad near Lucknow linked these moves to wider concerns for exports.

Nepal ban on Indian mango imports raises grower concerns

Malihabad is among India’s best-known mango belts. The area is widely recognised for the Dasheri variety. Dasheri is supplied to Indian buyers and also sent abroad. Farmers said the Nepal ban arrived when many were already struggling for fair prices and stable demand.

Kaleem Ahmad, a mango farmer, said the decision could also affect local trade. "Whenever mangoes are exported, both farmers and the government benefit.Such decisions increase the difficulties faced by growers.\" Kaleem Ahmad also said Nepal may be trying to boost its own fruit and shield local sellers.

Growers said costs have risen while returns have stayed weak. Kaleem Ahmad warned that any export setback could deepen those pressures. Another farmer, Mohammad Ikraar, also raised concerns about trust in Indian mangoes. \"We nurture mango orchards like our own children, but even then, farmers are not getting prices commensurate with their hard work. Any hurdle in exports becomes a matter of concern,\" Mohammad Ikraar said.

Uttar Pradesh government response on Nepal ban on Indian mango imports

Dinesh Pratap Singh, Agricultural Marketing, Foreign Trade and Exports Minister, said Nepal is a sovereign nation. Dinesh Pratap Singh said such trade issues are handled by the Centre. \"Our farmers work hard to produce quality mangoes and supply them across the country and abroad,\" Dinesh Pratap Singh said.

Dinesh Pratap Singh said Indian mangoes remain popular in world markets. Dinesh Pratap Singh said a recent Moscow visit included serving mangoes to around 600 Russian citizens. \"Many countries across the world appreciate Indian mangoes. Why Nepal has taken such a decision is beyond my understanding,\" Dinesh Pratap Singh said.

Dinesh Pratap Singh said some orchards use early-stage bagging to protect fruit. The method helps reduce chemical or pesticide contact, Dinesh Pratap Singh said. \"There may be some mangoes that are not bagged, but it is not appropriate to defame all mangoes of the state because of a few complaints,\" Dinesh Pratap Singh said.

The minister said Nepal’s mango consumption is small against Uttar Pradesh output. \"The quantity of mangoes consumed in Nepal is not even equal to the consumption of a single district in Uttar Pradesh. Therefore, the ban will not have any major impact on our farmers. However, the reputation and honour associated with Indian mangoes have certainly been hurt,\" Dinesh Pratap Singh said.

Dinesh Pratap Singh urged Nepal to reconsider the restriction. Dinesh Pratap Singh said quality complaints should have been checked case by case. \"I am saddened by Nepals decision and hope the Nepal government reconsiders the matter,\" Dinesh Pratap Singh said.

India is the world’s largest mango producer. Annual output is over 26 million metric tonnes, with more than 1,000 named varieties. Major importers of Indian mangoes include the US, the UAE, the UK, the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia. Growers said recent import blocks still risk reputational damage for Indian mangoes.

With inputs from PTI