Sweet Mango, Bitter Lesson: Why Did US Reject ₹4.3 Crore Worth of Indian Mangoes?

Recently, 15 shipments of Indian mangoes, worth ₹4.3 crore, were rejected by the US authorities due to documentation errors. The mangoes were destroyed in the US because it was too costly to send them back, given the fruit’s perishable nature.

The US has strict rules for importing fruits. One important rule is that mangoes must go through irradiation—a special treatment to kill pests and make the fruit last longer. After this treatment, a specific document called the PPQ203 form is issued by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) representative stationed at the facility. This form confirms the mangoes are safe and pest-free.

These particular mangoes underwent treatment at a facility in Navi Mumbai run by Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB) under USDA supervision. However, when the shipments reached the US airports in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta, customs officers found mistakes in the PPQ203 documents, labeling them as “incorrectly issued,” and thus refused to accept the mangoes.

Indian exporters say they did everything right and blame the facility in Navi Mumbai. They argue that the USDA officials at MSAMB issued the PPQ203 forms after properly completing the irradiation. Without these forms, they wouldn’t have shipped the mangoes in the first place. However, MSAMB hasn’t yet given an explanation.

Although small documentation mistakes can happen occasionally in international trade, losing such a large shipment due to paperwork errors is unusual. This situation highlights the importance of being very careful with export documents. It also signals the need for better coordination between Indian agencies and international regulatory bodies.

Regarding the timing of this rejection, some might wonder if it’s related to the ongoing tension between India and the US, particularly after the recent Operation Sindoor and ceasefire negotiations with Pakistan. As of now, no direct evidence connects these incidents. Still, given the international climate, Indian authorities should carefully investigate to ensure that trade disputes remain isolated and don’t become tools in larger political issues.

For India, the clear message is to tighten procedures, improve accountability, and ensure no room for errors in future shipments. A sweet mango should not leave a bitter taste.

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