Setback for Indian mango exports! Why Japan has stopped imports of Kesar, Alphonso, Langra & other varieties from India

In a big setback for Indian mango exports, Japan has reportedly stopped importing fresh mangoes from India for the current season. The move has effectively disrupted shipments of Indian mango varieties widely consumed in Japan, including Kesar, Alphonso, Langra and Banganapalli.

During 2025-26, Gujarat’s Kesar mango emerged as the biggest contributor to India’s mango exports to Japan, accounting for shipments worth nearly $0.2 million out of the total $1.54 million earned from fresh and processed mango exports to the country.

India’s five largest mango export destinations by value during 2025-26 — including fresh mangoes, pulp and processed products — were the United States, the UAE, the UK, the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia.

Why Japan has stopped imports of India’s mangoes

According to an ET report, after Japan’s plant quarantine officials identified shortcomings in fumigation and other disinfection procedures at Indian treatment facilities during an inspection conducted in March, imports have been halted.

Although the Indian government has not issued any public statement on the matter, the April-to-June peak export season is expected to pass without a resolution, despite Japan not being one of the largest destinations for Indian mango exports.

A statement released on March 31 by the Yokohama Plant Protection Association, citing a notification from Japan’s state-run Plant Protection Station, said consignments accompanied by inspection certificates issued in India on or after March 25, 2026, would not be cleared for entry.

The Japanese-language notice further stated that imports of fresh mangoes from Indian facilities would remain on hold until authorities in Tokyo were satisfied that operational and treatment standards had improved, the ET report said.

The Yokohama Plant Protection Association is an industry body that works closely with Japan’s plant quarantine authorities under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Airfreight cost woes for mango exporters

Meanwhile, rising airfreight costs have also emerged as a challenge for exporters.

A Gujarat-based mango exporter, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the suspension by Japan was causing some export losses, but the industry’s larger concern was the sharp spike in airfreight charges to the United States.

According to the exporter, freight costs have surged to nearly ₹580-590 per kg this year from around ₹250-350 per kg last year due to the West Asia conflict, rising aviation fuel prices and uncertainty surrounding airline route adjustments.

The exporter added that discussions were underway between Indian authorities and their Japanese counterparts to address phytosanitary compliance requirements.

Exports of mangoes to Japan require a phytosanitary certificate issued by the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage in Faridabad, which functions under the agriculture ministry.

A Pune-based exporter said he was unaware of the precise reasons behind Japan’s restrictions on Indian mango shipments, but confirmed that exports to Japan were not taking place this year.

He added that the United States remained a much more important market for exporters and noted that one of the major challenges currently was the frequent offloading of mango consignments by airlines, which often prioritise higher-value cargo such as pharmaceutical products over perishable shipments.

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