Forced to Dump: U.S. Rejects 15 Mango Shipments from India, Exporters Report $500,000 in Losses
Forced to Dump: U.S. Rejects 15 Mango Shipments from India, Exporters Report $500,000 in Losses
In a major blow to India’s mango trade, U.S. authorities have turned away at least 15 mango shipments from India due to irregularities in documentation, prompting exporters to destroy the consignments and triggering estimated losses of around half a million dollars.
The rejected shipments arrived at several major U.S. airports, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta. Exporters were given two options—either to destroy the mangoes or re-export them to India. Due to the highly perishable nature of mangoes and the excessive cost of sending them back, all the affected exporters chose to discard the fruits in the U.S.
This development is especially concerning given that the United States is the largest importer of Indian mangoes, making it a crucial destination for exporters. The losses are estimated to be approximately $500,000, highlighting the economic hit to the trade.
The mangoes in question had undergone mandatory irradiation—a pest-control process involving exposure to controlled radiation to kill pests and increase shelf life—at a certified facility in Navi Mumbai on May 8 and 9. However, according to a report by The Economic Times, discrepancies were found in the paperwork verifying the treatment. Importantly, the issue was related to administrative mistakes rather than any actual presence of pests in the fruit.
In a notice sent to one of the exporters, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) explained that the consignment was denied entry because of an “incorrectly issued PPQ203” form. The form in question is essential for confirming that the mangoes underwent irradiation under USDA supervision. The message clearly stated that the shipment had to either be destroyed or sent back to India, while also confirming that the U.S. government would not cover any costs for these remedial actions.
The irradiation process is conducted under the supervision of a USDA representative at the Navi Mumbai facility, who is responsible for validating the PPQ203 form. Exporters, however, argue that they are being punished for mistakes made by officials at the treatment center.
“We are facing the consequences of errors committed at the irradiation facility,” said one exporter. Another exporter, whose shipment was detained at Los Angeles airport between May 9 and 11 before being ordered for destruction, said they were told the shipment didn’t fulfill entry requirements—particularly concerning irradiation.
He strongly disagreed with the claim, insisting the treatment had been properly completed and that the USDA officer had issued the PPQ203 form after verifying the procedure. “If the irradiation wasn’t done, how could we have received the form in the first place? And without that document, the mangoes wouldn’t have even cleared customs at the Mumbai airport,” he pointed out.
When approached for details such as the volume of mangoes involved and the nature of the discrepancies, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)—which functions under India’s Ministry of Commerce—referred the matter to the Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB), the authority that oversees the USDA-approved facility in Vashi, Mumbai. However, MSAMB did not respond to queries.
This setback comes as India and the United States are on the verge of finalizing a significant trade agreement. Former U.S. President Donald Trump recently stated that India had offered a deal with “almost zero tariffs.” The first phase of the agreement is expected to be finalized in the near future.
India is pushing for tariff reductions on goods that support large-scale employment, including textiles, leather, chemicals, jewelry, shrimp, grapes, and bananas. On the other side, the U.S. is seeking lower tariffs for items such as industrial goods, electric vehicles, wine, dairy products, apples, and tree nuts.
