Gujarat to directly send kesar mangoes to US for the first time

Gujarat's renowned kesar mango will be exported directly to the US for the first time this year.

The US department of agriculture's animal and plant health inspection service (USDA-APHIS) approved the Gujarat agro radiation processing facility last July.

Farmers and exporters will now be able to increase exports to the US. Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation Ltd (GAIC) developed the facility at Bavla near Ahmedabad. Thus far, Gujarat's kesar and alphonso mangoes were exported through Maharashtra.

According to the Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), last year India's mango exports to the US was 813 tonnes, valued at Rs 33.68 crore.