In a significant setback for India’s agricultural exports, U.S. authorities have rejected 15 shipments of Indian mangoes due to documentation discrepancies, leading to an estimated loss of $500,000 (approximately ₹4.28 crore) for exporters.
The Incident: Documentation Discrepancies Lead to Rejections
The rejected shipments arrived at major U.S. airports, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta. Upon inspection, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) identified irregularities in the mandatory PPQ203 forms, which certify that the mangoes have undergone the required irradiation treatment to eliminate pests and extend shelf life.
The irradiation process for these shipments was conducted on May 8 and 9 at a USDA-approved facility in Navi Mumbai, under the supervision of a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) official. Exporters assert that the PPQ203 forms were issued post-treatment, suggesting that the discrepancies may have originated from procedural errors at the irradiation facility.
Exporters’ Predicament: Destroy or Re-export
All affected exporters were faced with the choice to destroy the perishable cargo in the U.S. or bear the high costs of re-exporting it to India. Due to mangoes’ short shelf life and the high cost of shipping them back, re-exporting them was not feasible. This decision culminated in substantial financial losses during the peak mango export season.
Implications for Indian Mango Exports
The U.S. is the top destination for Indian mango exports, so this incident could significantly harm trade relations. The rejection impacts current trade and raises concerns about future shipments and the reliability of export procedures. Exporters have expressed frustration, emphasizing that they are being penalized for errors beyond their control.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has acknowledged the issue, indicating that it pertains to the USDA-approved facility operated by the Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB) in Vashi, Mumbai. Further investigations are expected to determine the root cause of the documentation errors.
