A Pointless mission

About a fortnight ago, I realised that the stock of mangoes in the house had gone down to an alarming level with the box of mangoes, which I had purchased earlier, having only a few mangoes left in it. As the situation needed immediate attention and action, I immediately rushed to the temporary stall, put up by someone I know, to sell Alfonso mangoes grown on his farm in the vicinity of Devgad town in the Konkan area on India’s western sea board. When I reached to the spot, where this stall has been put up by my friend, to my utter dismay, I found the stall  wound up because the season for best mangoes was already over. I had then to rush to another lady, who also brought mangoes from Konkan to sell in Pune. I was relieved to find that she still had some stocks left. But, as I made my purchases, she warned me that she would be closing her trading activity as season for Konkan grown Alfonso mangoes was fast coming to its end.

The point I am trying to make here is that the mango season  for top quality Alfanso mangoes grown in Konkan, is a short term affair lasting for at the most for 3 or 4 weeks. Before the season begins, the mango prices, almost touching the sky, are just not affordable and after the season is over, there are no mangoes to purchase. This year, the prices of good quality Alfanso mangoes remained fairly within budget of most Indians. One of the reasons for this can be attributed to the fact that the European Union has banned the import of Indian mangoes, including the famed Alphonso, from May 1, 2014. EU decision, based on a report that said that new Pests were found in 207 consignments from India in 2013, certainly bordered on the extreme caution. In last week of March 2014, after finding fruit flies in some consignments, EU announced the ban on Indian mango imports. In response, Indian Government made checks and certification mandatory for exports of Mangoes on April 2014. However the EU was unmoved and continued with the ban. A review of the measures will only take place before December 31, 2015. European market for mangoes from India (with major share contributed by the UK) is for 4,000 tonnes of mangoes during the season from Maharashtra state of India alone, where the Konkan area is situated. In UK, the market for the fruit is worth nearly 6 million pounds a year.

Irradiation plant at Lasalgaon in Maharashtra

As per the latest news, the European Union is now sending a high powered audit team to India in September to inspect pest containment measures being undertaken for Alphonso mangoes. Based on the report of this team, EU will take the final call on whether to lift its ban on the import of these mangoes to EU. The team is expected to ensure that the mangoes fulfil the EU phyto-sanitary import requirements so that they can be exported to the European union. Depending on the outcome of the audit done by this EU team, a decision on the lifting of the ban would be taken. India will then have to send the EU guarantees on the correct implementation of the Indian measures. The EU's Food and Veterinary Office will then verify the good implementation of these guarantees on-the-spot at the end of 2014.

Irradiation process

A British labour MP of Indian-origin Keith Vaz has been making efforts to see that the ban is lifted as soon as possible. He recently visited Brussels and met Dacian Ciolos, EU commissioner for agriculture, over lifting the ban. Mr Vaz says that the ban on Indian mangoes is not justified and  needs to be overturned as soon as possible. He feels that Indian mango growers are suffering daily and some have been bankrupted as a result of this unfair and illogical ban. British businesses have lost millions. He says India had only had 37 interceptions of its mangoes in 2013, whereas Pakistan had 136 interceptions and the Dominican Republic had 46 in the same year. Yet only India was picked up for this treatment. Perhaps Mr. Vaz is exaggerating a little too far, when he says that Indian mango growers are going bankrupt. Firstly EU mango purchases, though substantial, are not that crucial for mango export trade. Indian exporters have continued to export to Middle East, Singapore and US without any problem this year. Though, Mr Vaz’s observation about British Mango import businesses is likely to more realistic.

The visit of the inspecting team from EU in September looks all nice and proper on paper and good for a bureaucratic decision making. There is only one little hitch however. With mango season being already over, what the Europeans propose to inspect is not very clear. Whether they plan to check the Irradiation equipment or check the written down inspection manuals for the Irradiation is not very clear. The visit according to me is bordering to being an object of ridicule.

4^th June 2014

European Union denies Visa to the King

In a strange move, European union has suddenly denied Visa to a King from India. But general public in India is not complaining. There is no resentment even. On the contrary everyone seems to be in celebratory mood. Well! This time the King is no ordinary human being, he is the King of Fruits, none other the famed Alphanso Mango grown on west coast of India. European Union has banned the import of Indian mangoes, including the famed Alphonsos, from May 1, 2014. But why are people in India happy because of this ban? Simple reason is that this ban has resulted into a glut in supply and is pushing down the prices in the local market much to the delight of all domestic consumers.

EU decision, based on a report that said that new Pests were found in 207 consignments from India in 2013, certainly borders on the extreme caution. In last week of March 2014, after finding fruit flies in some consignments, EU announced the ban on Indian mango imports. In response, Indian Government made checks and certification mandatory for exports of Mangoes on April 2014. However the EU was unmoved and continued with the ban. A review of the measures will only take place before December 31, 2015. European market for mangoes from India( with major share contributed by the UK) is for 4,000 tonnes of mangoes during the season from Maharashtra state of India itself. In UK, the market for the fruit is worth nearly 6 million pounds a year.

For European Union and UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, this ban represents just 5% of the total fresh fruits and vegetables imported into the EU from India and is statistically insignificant, For them the potential danger of new pests could pose a threat to EU agriculture and production. In UK it could threaten the country's 321-million pound salad crop industry of tomato and cucumber. But for a mango lover, the ban means something far more important than mere numbers. For example for every person in India, hot summers are always associated with mangoes. People welcome summer heat just because it also brings mangoes to the market.

In our house garden in Pune, we used to have at least 9 or 10 mango trees of different varieties. There were local variety trees, known as 'Raiwal' and 'Pairee,' and also another south Indian variety called as 'Shendri.' But the most favoured of all, by almost everyone in the house, were mangoes from two trees belonging to a variety known as 'Hapoos' or 'Alfanso,' named after a 16th century Portuguese traveller to India, Afonso de Albuquerque. He led Portuguese invasions into India in the 1600s, and the Portuguese introduced the mango variety through grafts on mango trees.

Afonso de Albuquerque

Some of the other mango varieties from our house garden were such that the fruit, after ripening would either still taste very sour or the fruits would have very fibrous texture. We never allowed these mangoes to ripen. They were cut or shredded when raw and used for making pickles and some fantastic coolers. 'Raiwal' was a miniature variety, where the fruits used to be very small sized and had such little pulp inside, that we could easily finish 20 to 24 fruits in just one sitting. Yet they had a unique distinguished taste loved by us. In spite of having so many varieties of Mangoes in the garden, 'Alfanso' mangoes were always considered as the supreme variety and loved by all. We were never satisfied with, what was produced in our house garden and my grandfather would always buy from the market, large wooden boxes containing 4 or 5 dozens of Alfanso mango fruits in the months of April and May every year, to satisfy our ever growing liking for the king of fruits, The Alfanso mango.

Originally grown in Goa, Alfanso mangoes soon travelled across, to many parts of western India. Alfanso mangoes are now mainly grown in Konkan region of the state of Maharashtra in India, a narrow strip of land between Arabian sea on west and west coast mountains in the east. In fact they are so famous that sometimes it is difficult to buy top quality fruit in the land where they grow, as almost all the produce is sent to Mumbai. Alfanso mangoes are routinely exported to several countries, including Middle east, South east Asia, Britain and the United States. The middle east market is nearly 10 times the European market . Exports are booming at the moment to middle east but the Middle East market, including Dubai is expected to get saturated in coming one or two weeks.

All these developments mean only one thing. The good quality, premium mangoes, being exported presently, would be diverted into local market and since there is likely to be an oversupply, the prices would crash and bring this King of fruits within reach of a common manor “ Aam Admi.” Within a week from EU's announcement, the prices of Alkhanso Mangoes have dropped by Rs. 500 per box of 4 or 6 Dozens from previous price of Rs. 3000 per box. in Mumbai. Times of India reports that the Mango season is just picking up and more than 600 truck loads are arriving in Mumbai's wholesale market at Vashi bringing in more than two hundred fifty thousand boxes to the market.

As it is, the prices of mangoes drop in Indian markets by month of May. Because of the EU ban, we can expect prices to drop further and make them available to common. As India consumers benefit, not everyone is happy in Europe. Time of India has quoted Indian-origin British MP Keith Vaz saying: "This is Euro nonsense and bureaucracy gone mad. Indian mangoes have been imported to Britain for centuries. I am furious with the lack of consultation with those who will be affected by the ban.”

Whatever may be the reactions from Europe, its loss is a gain for common man in India, as he would be able to enjoy his favourite fruit this year to his heart's content. I am sure that there would be millions of Indians, that includes me too, who would say “Thank You EU. You have made our summer this year.”

30^th April 2014

Return of the king

In our house garden in Pune, we used to have at least 9 or 10 mango trees of different varieties. There were local variety trees, known as 'Raiwal' and 'Pairee,' and also another south Indian variety called as 'Shendri.' But the most favoured of all, by almost everyone in the house, were mangoes from two trees belonging to a variety known as 'Hapoos' or 'Alfanso,' named after a 16^th century Portuguese traveller to India, Afonso de Albuquerque. He led Portuguese invasions into India in the 1600s, and the Portuguese introduced the mango variety through grafts on mango trees.

Afonso de Albuquerque

 Some of the other mango varieties from our house garden were such that the fruit, after ripening would either still taste very sour or the fruits would have very fibrous texture. We never allowed these mangoes to ripen. They were cut or shredded when raw and used for making pickles and some fantastic coolers. 'Raiwal' was a miniature variety, where the fruits used to be very small sized and had such little pulp inside, that we could easily finish 20 to 24 fruits in just one sitting. Yet they had a unique distinguished taste loved by us. But 'Alfanso' mangoes were always considered as the supreme variety and loved by all. We were never satisfied with, what was produced in our house garden and my grandfather would always buy from the market, large wooden boxes containing 4 or 5 dozens of Alfanso mango fruits in the months of April and May every year, to satisfy our ever growing liking for the king of fruits, The Alfanso mango.

Originally grown in Goa, Alfanso mangoes soon travelled across, to many parts of western India. Alfanso mangoes are now mainly grown in Konkan region of the state of Maharashtra in India, a narrow strip of land between Arabian sea on west and west coast mountains in the east. In fact they are so famous that sometimes it is difficult to buy top quality fruit in the land where they grow, as almost all the produce is sent to Mumbai. Alfanso mangoes are also exported to several countries, including Middle east, South east Asia, Britain and the United States. However, they are not yet as popular as they deserve to be.

Recently A total of 24,000 mangoes made the journey from Ratnagiri, which is the principal town from Konkan region in Maharashtra state in India to England for the first mango festival in Britain. Two mango festivals were held in London and Leiceister last weekend. In London. the Alfanso mangoes were available for testing as well as for sale inside a white canvas tent in Trafalgar Square, next to the venue of Vaisakhi festival, celebrating the Sikh new year.

Visitors were welcomed with a free light orange coloured mango drink made from Alfanso mangoes and Yogurt, called as 'Lassi' in India. So great was the demand for this drink that many had to be told to satisfy themselves with only one small portion in a plastic cup. The mango sale was real brisk with about 12,000 mangoes being sold within three hours in London. In all, 16800 mangoes were sold in London and about 7200 in Leiceister at 5 pounds ($7.80) for six mangoes and 8 pounds for a dozen.

Alphonso mangoes, sweeter than other varieties can boast of a smooth textured flesh with no fibers. They are also very aromatic. People from many parts of the world, including Britain are not well aware about the superb quality of this fruit. Some, who were testing the fruit for the first time were thrilled and excited. A person commented: “I had not heard of the Alphonso before this,but I am excited to know about this variety. It is the best mango in the world.” Another person exclaimed; “‘Wow, something like this exists?” Famous Indian Chef Sanjeev Kapur was present at the festival and told the spectators that the Indian Alphonso beats all varieties of mangoes in the world.

The organizers of the festival included Konkan Bhoomi Pratishtnan from Mumbai. One of their officials had this to say. “It is the real deal, the purest mango. We want to popularize these mangoes in the U.K., We want it to be available in every corner shop in Britain. Why should people in England be denied this gift from India? This is the best mango in the world.”

Very true! Britons are most welcome to join us, the Alfanso mango lovers of Maharashtra , to celebrate in summer of each and every year, The return of the King, (of fruits off course!)

12^th May 2013