US REJECTS, DESTROYS INDIAN MANGOES

Indian mango exporters suffer Rs 4.2 crore loss as US rejects 15 shipments over paperwork errors.

In a setback for India’s agricultural exports, at least 15 mango shipments from India have been rejected by US authorities at key entry points, including airports in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta, due to documentation irregularities. Exporters were given the choice of either destroying the mangoes or bearing the high cost of re-exporting them to India. Given the perishable nature of mangoes and the prohibitive expense of return shipping, all affected exporters opted to dispose of the fruit within the United States, according to a media report.

Given the perishable nature of mangoes and the prohibitive expense of return shipping, all affected exporters opted to dispose of the fruit within the United States. Indian mango exporters suffer Rs 4.2 crore loss as US rejects 15 shipments over paperwork errors

The losses from these rejections are estimated to be around $500,000 (roughly Rs 4.28 crore) a significant blow for exporters during the peak mango season. The United States remains India’s most critical market for mango exports, making this disruption particularly damaging to bilateral trade in horticultural goods.

The mangoes in question had undergone the mandatory irradiation process at a USDA-approved facility in Navi Mumbai on May 8 and 9. This treatment, which involves exposure to controlled doses of radiation, is crucial for eliminating pests and meeting US import standards.

However, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) found discrepancies in the paperwork, particularly the PPQ203 form—an essential certification for entry. According to a USDA notice issued to one exporter, the consignment was rejected “due to incorrectly issued PPQ203” and instructed that it “must be re-exported or destroyed.” The US government clarified it would not cover costs associated with the shipment’s disposal.

Exporters assert that the fault lies not with them but with administrative errors at the irradiation facility, which is operated by the Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB) and supervised by a USDA officer. One exporter whose shipment was held at Los Angeles airport between May 9-11 questioned the rejection: “The USDA officer issues the PPQ203 only after treatment. If it wasn’t done correctly, how did we get the clearance to ship?”

Another exporter voiced frustration: “We are being penalised for mistakes made at the irradiation facility. There were no pests found—just paperwork errors.”

Authorities offer no clarity yet on rejected mangoes

When approached for clarification, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under India’s commerce ministry, acknowledged the issue but deferred detailed answers to MSAMB, stating the matter fell under its purview. As of now, MSAMB has not responded to requests for comment.