Documentation Issues Cause Major Loss to Indian Mango Exports

In a major setback for India’s agri-export sector, 15 mango shipments were rejected by US authorities at ports in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta due to documentation irregularities—despite full compliance with phytosanitary norms.

The mangoes, irradiated at a USDA-approved facility in Navi Mumbai on May 8 and 9, met all quality standards. However, due to administrative lapses, exporters faced a painful choice: re-export the fruit or destroy it in the US. Given the perishability and high costs, destruction was the only option, resulting in $500,000 in losses during peak mango season.

The US is India’s biggest market for premium mangoes, and such incidents harm both revenue and reputation. Exporters are urging better coordination between APEDA, customs, and USDA, warning that repeated issues could drive buyers toward competitors like Mexico or Peru.

This incident highlights the urgent need for digitization and streamlined documentation in India’s export process. A centralized system could prevent such costly oversights and protect exporters in the future.