Setback for mango exports! Why Japan stopped imports of Kesar, Alphonso, Langra & more

In a large setback for Indian mango exports, Japan has reportedly stopped importing caller mangoes from India for the existent season. The determination has efficaciously disrupted shipments of Indian mango varieties wide consumed successful Japan, including Kesar, Alphonso, Langra and Banganapalli.

During 2025-26, Gujarat’s Kesar mango emerged arsenic the biggest contributor to India’s mango exports to Japan, accounting for shipments worthy astir $0.2 cardinal retired of the full $1.54 cardinal earned from caller and processed mango exports to the country.India’s 5 largest mango export destinations by worth during 2025-26 — including caller 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, aft Japan’s works quarantine officials identified shortcomings successful fumigation and different disinfection procedures astatine Indian attraction facilities during an inspection conducted successful March, imports person been halted.Although the Indian authorities has not issued immoderate nationalist connection connected the matter, the April-to-June highest export play is expected to walk without a resolution, contempt Japan not being 1 of the largest destinations for Indian mango exports.

A connection released connected 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 successful India connected oregon aft March 25, 2026, would not beryllium cleared for entry.The Japanese-language announcement further stated that imports of caller mangoes from Indian facilities would stay connected clasp until authorities successful Tokyo were satisfied that operational and attraction standards had improved, the ET study said.The Yokohama Plant Protection Association is an manufacture assemblage that works intimately with Japan’s works quarantine authorities nether the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Airfreight outgo woes for mango exporters

Meanwhile, rising airfreight costs person besides emerged arsenic a situation for exporters.A Gujarat-based mango exporter, speaking connected information of anonymity, said the suspension by Japan was causing immoderate export losses, but the industry’s larger interest was the crisp spike successful airfreight charges to the United States. According to the exporter, freight costs person surged to astir ₹580-590 per kg this twelvemonth from astir ₹250-350 per kg past twelvemonth owed to the West Asia conflict, rising aviation substance prices and uncertainty surrounding hose way adjustments.The exporter added that discussions were underway betwixt Indian authorities and their Japanese counterparts to code phytosanitary compliance requirements.Exports of mangoes to Japan necessitate a phytosanitary certificate issued by the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage successful Faridabad, which functions nether the agriculture ministry.A Pune-based exporter said helium was unaware of the precise reasons down Japan’s restrictions connected Indian mango shipments, but confirmed that exports to Japan were not taking spot this year.He added that the United States remained a overmuch much important marketplace for exporters and noted that 1 of the large challenges presently was the predominant offloading of mango consignments by airlines, which often prioritise higher-value cargo specified arsenic pharmaceutical products implicit perishable shipments.