New Delhi: The Centre has rejected reports claiming that Nepal has banned the import of Indian mangoes, calling them factually incorrect and misleading. The clarification came after several media and social media posts suggested that Nepal had stopped buying Indian mangoes after similar concerns were reported in Japan.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare issued a statement on Wednesday, June 10, saying Indian mango exports to Nepal were continuing without disruption. The ministry said Nepal’s Plant Quarantine and Pesticide Management Centre had itself clarified on June 10 that no ban had been imposed on Indian mangoes.
According to the ministry, some media reports had claimed that Nepal had stopped the import of mangoes from India. It said these reports were completely wrong and misleading. The ministry further stated that import permission and release orders were being issued under existing rules when plant health conditions were fulfilled.
Government data showed that India has exported 2,005 tonnes of mangoes to Nepal through 149 consignments from January this year till now. In June alone, 18 consignments carrying 266 tonnes of mangoes have already been sent to Nepal.
The issue gained attention after Nepal recently changed some of its import rules for fruits and other agricultural products. Under the updated requirements, hot water treatment has been made necessary to ensure product safety. India has said it is working to make mango exports smoother under the new standards.
At the same time, India has expressed concern to Nepal over the implementation of new plant health measures without prior consultation. The matter is being taken up bilaterally under the World Trade Organization’s sanitary and phytosanitary standards agreement and the framework of the International Plant Protection Convention.
The ministry has advised traders, exporters and other stakeholders to rely only on official information and avoid reacting to unverified reports about any restriction on mango exports.
The clarification is important for farmers and exporters, especially during the mango season when cross border trade with Nepal remains significant. For now, the government has made it clear that Indian mangoes continue to enter Nepal, subject to the required plant health norms.