At least 15 shipments of Indian mangoes have been rejected by U.S. authorities due to discrepancies in the export documentation, particularly concerning the irradiation process.

The consignments, which were flown to the United States, were denied entry upon arrival at major airports including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta. Irradiation — a compulsory treatment for mango exports to the U.S. — had been carried out at a facility in Mumbai on May 8 and 9. The process involves exposing fruits to a regulated dose of radiation to eliminate pests and prolong shelf life.

Despite the completion of this treatment, U.S. officials flagged issues with the accompanying paperwork, leading to the rejection of the cargo. Exporters were left with the option of either re-exporting the shipments to India or destroying them. Due to the high cost and the highly perishable nature of mangoes, the exporters chose to discard the fruit.

The United States is India’s biggest overseas market for mangoes, and the setback highlights the critical importance of compliance in international trade protocols, especially in the fresh produce sector. Authorities are now expected to review and tighten documentation practices to prevent future losses.

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