𝗛𝗶𝗺𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗼 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝘆 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲

𝗛𝗶𝗺𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗼 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝘆 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲

Dark spots from a weather-induced disease now threaten export shipments of Malda's Himsagar mangoes. Exporters report continuous rainfall during the bagging stage followed by high temperatures caused the spots. The spots show early signs of infection.

Prasun Chitlangia is co-founder of Shrishti Food Products. He told PTI his team planned to send a one-tonne consignment to the United States this week. The team stopped the shipment after finding dark spots on the fruits. Importers reject fruits with spots.

Ujjal Saha is president of the Malda Mango Merchants Association. He said reports of disease appeared in around 15 percent of bagged fruits. He added nearly three lakh bagged mangoes remain available for export.

Key facts:

• Exporters aimed to ship more than 300 metric tonnes of mangoes and litchis from Malda this season. Last year the district sent nearly 15 metric tonnes to five countries.
• Early estimates projected mango exports between 300 and 500 metric tonnes.
• The state horticulture department distributed around 2.5 lakh fruit bags to growers. Officials oversee 50 to 60 orchards using export-compliant methods.
• The export basket includes Himsagar, Langra, Lakshman Bhog, and Amrapali varieties. It also includes litchis from Malda and Murshidabad.
• Exporters say international demand stays strong. Teams now search unaffected orchards for export-quality fruits.