India has achieved a major milestone in fresh fruit exports with the successful shipment of 12.5 tonnes of Dashehari and Langra mangoes from Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, to Dubai by sea, demonstrating the commercial viability of a new export protocol developed jointly by the ICAR–Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (ICAR-CISH) and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).
The consignment, exported in a 40-foot refrigerated container, was sent by Shehnaz Export, Amroha, in association with Attashi Global, to Lulu Group, one of the Gulf region’s leading retail chains. The export was carried out with technical guidance from ICAR-CISH and logistical support from APEDA.
The mangoes were harvested on June 22 and processed using scientifically developed post-harvest management practices. Before shipment, the fruits were treated with METWASH, a shelf-life enhancement technology developed by ICAR-CISH, and were scientifically graded, packed at the Amroha Pack House and transported under an uninterrupted cold chain.
Although the shipment encountered delays caused by adverse weather linked to a Western Disturbance, it reached Dubai on July 17, completing a 25-day harvest-to-market journey. Despite the extended transit period, nearly 90 per cent of the mangoes arrived in marketable condition, validating the effectiveness of the sea-route export protocol.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare said the success of the trial demonstrates that premium Indian mangoes can now be exported economically by sea without compromising quality, significantly reducing transportation costs compared with air freight.
The lower logistics costs also translated into higher returns for growers. According to the government, exporters were able to offer farmers an additional ₹15–20 per kilogram over conventional export channels, improving farm incomes while maintaining the competitiveness of Indian mangoes in overseas markets.
The shipment marks the first successful commercial sea export of Dashehari and Langra mangoes from Uttar Pradesh to Dubai under an extended 25-day transit period, opening the possibility of expanding sea-based exports to Gulf countries and other international destinations.
The Ministry expects the new protocol to encourage wider adoption of sea freight for mango exports, particularly from Uttar Pradesh and other major mango-producing states. The initiative is expected to lower export costs, increase overseas shipments, enhance export earnings and create better income opportunities for mango growers by providing access to larger international markets.
