US rejects Indian mangoes worth nearly $500,000 due to issues in export documentation related to the irradiation process. At least 15 shipments were turned away at airports in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta. U.S. authorities flagged discrepancies in the paperwork and directed exporters to either destroy or re-export the fruit. Since mangoes are perishable and re-exporting is expensive, the exporters chose to discard them.
Irradiation Errors Behind the Setback
Irradiation is a safety treatment used to extend shelf life and kill pests in fresh produce. The rejected mango shipments were treated at a certified facility in Navi Mumbai on May 8 and 9. Exporters claim that the process was carried out under the supervision of a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officer. However, upon arrival in the U.S., authorities cited documentation lapses and denied clearance.
A report by The Economic Times highlighted that the exporters believe they are being penalized for faults committed at the irradiation facility. According to them, all procedures were followed correctly, and the documents should have met USDA standards.
Exporters Raise Concerns Over Financial Losses
The exporters have estimated their collective loss at around $500,000. A USDA notification clarified that the U.S. government would not take any remedial steps for the rejected cargo. India’s Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) acknowledged the issue and stated that it concerns a USDA-approved center managed by the Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board.
India produces over 1,000 varieties of mangoes and contributes more than 40% of global output. Yet, it exports only a fraction due to strict international regulations and logistical challenges. This incident further damages confidence in India’s export system and raises questions about oversight in pre-export processing.
Due to documentation errors that exporters dispute, the US rejects Indian mangoes, once again highlighting the fragile nature of international trade in perishables.
