Hyderabad: The ongoing West Asia crisis has dented India’s mango business this season, with exports recording a 20% to 30% drop. The disruption, industry sources say, has driven up freight costs, creating significant logistical challenges for exporters.Telangana, which exports roughly 7,000 metric tonnes of its mango produce overseas – the UAE, US, and Canada in particular – hasn’t been spared. Exporters here said that they have been forced to put their stocks in cold storage – waiting for the current situation to tide them over.Mangoes have a limited shelf life of about 19 to 25 days, after which they begin to deteriorate. “Diverting these consignments to domestic markets is not a viable option as the fruit is cultivated specifically to meet stringent international standards, grown organically, without chemical sprays or carbide ripening,” said an exporter, adding how these premium mangoes also come with high price tags – of Rs 100 to Rs 150 per kg.“That is why they do not have many local takers. Consumers here typically prefer cheaper varieties priced at Rs40 to Rs 60 per kg,” the exporter added.Among Telangana’s exports, the most sought-after variety is Banganapalle, followed by Pedda Rasalu and Chinna Rasalu. With the export season set to start from April 15, exporters are in limbo due to no orders from the importers, and no schedule of belly cargoes like every year.According to R P Naidu, assistant general manager at the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the surge in transportation costs and delays in shipments are severely impacting exports of perishable commodities like mangoes. He noted that the fruit, which requires timely and temperature-controlled delivery, is particularly vulnerable to disruptions in global logistics.UAE biggest importerNaidu said India typically exports around 30,000 metric tonnes of mangoes annually to international markets, with the UAE accounting for the largest share, over 10,000 metric tonnes on average each year. However, this dominance is now under strain as exporters grapple with rising costs and uncertainty.Freight rates have escalated dramatically since the conflict intensified toward the end of February. Air cargo charges have risen from 250 per kg to between 800 and 900 per kg, while container shipping costs have surged from $1,000 to $2,500. Exporters say these increases have made shipments financially unviable, especially for bulk consignments.Naidu added that although adequate cold storage facilities are available in the state to preserve produce temporarily, prolonged delays could still affect quality and marketability.Kosuri Srinivas Rao, a pack house operator and exporter, said overseas buyers are showing reluctance due to uncertainty over delivery timelines. “There is no confidence that shipments will reach on time. Buyers fear losses if deadlines are missed,” he said, pointing to disruptions in scheduled cargo services, including flights operated by carriers such as Emirates.While so, European airlines have increased freight rates to destinations like the United States and Canada, which have also surged, from around 300 per kg earlier to over 700 per kg now further straining exporters.“With exports almost at a standstill, the entire value chain is taking a hit — from farmers and pack house operators to exporters like us. We invest heavily to meet strict international standards, but without shipments, there is no return on that investment. Mangoes are highly perishable; even in the best cold storage conditions, their shelf life is only about 19 to 25 days. Every day of delay reduces quality and market value, and if this continues, a large portion of the crop will simply go to waste,” Srinivas Rao added.BOXTo mitigate the crisis, the Indian govt has announced measures including a 500 crore capital infusion into the Export Credit Guarantee Corporation and the launch of the ‘RELIEF’ scheme in March. The initiative aims to provide short-term support to exporters affected by disruptions in West Asia, particularly Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. Industry stakeholders warn that if export volumes continue to fall, the impact will eventually be felt at the farm level, with growers bearing the brunt of reduced demand and price pressures during the peak harvest season.
