Beijing, July 16: India has become one of the first countries to export its world famous mangoes to China's potentially huge market under a bilateral agreement signed during the recent visit of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, official sources said here today. The first consignment of six tonnes - three each for the Chinese capital, Beijing, and the eastern metropolis Shanghai- has arrived, said the sources.
The Indian export of mangoes to China has become possible with the governments of India and China signing the protocol of phytosanitary requirements for exporting mangoes during Vajpayee's visit to China last month. "With this, India and China have implemented the first agreement signed during the Prime Minister's visit," the sources said.
Though the world famous Alphonsos are missing due to late orders from China at the end of mango season, the Chinese people in Beijing and Shanghai would get a chance to taste 'Langda' and 'Chausa' varieties from Uttar Pradesh for the first time. "The initial market response to Indian mangoes is very encouraging," an official source said, adding that the first consignment of six tonnes would be used only for promoting Indian mangoes in China.
With this, India has also become the first South Asian country to export mangoes to China, which strictly restricts imports of fruits and vegetables. Bureau Report