ISLAMABAD: Nepal has banned imports of Indian mangoes after inspectors detected excessive levels of chemical pesticides and inadequate quarantine facilities along parts of the border, a move that could lead to shortages and higher prices in the Himalayan nation, according to the Indian news website, First Post.
The restrictions, imposed by Nepal's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and reportedly in effect since April-May, target Indian mango shipments entering through border regions, particularly in Madhesh Province.
Authorities say the measure is intended to protect consumers and encourage domestic fruit production.
"The federal government's decision will provide additional encouragement to local production, while citizens will have access to healthier and safer produce," Manish Kumar Pal, spokesperson for the Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives of Madhesh Province, told state-run newspaper The Rising Nepal.
Nepal produces mangoes domestically, with major cultivation concentrated in the districts of Siraha, Saptari and Dhanusha. The harvest season runs from mid-May to mid-July. However, local production is insufficient to meet year-round demand.
Ban to benefit local farmers
Ajaya Gyawali, an information officer at the province's agriculture ministry, said the ban has benefited local farmers by reducing competition from imported fruit.
"It has promoted local production, which is a positive development," Gyawali said.
Still, he warned that domestic supplies may not be sufficient to meet nationwide demand, particularly in major urban centers such as Kathmandu.
Mangoes currently sell for about 100 to 150 Nepalese rupees ($0.73 to $1.10) per kilogram in Kathmandu. Traders warn prices could rise significantly if the restrictions remain in place.
They point to a previous ban on banana imports from India, after which prices reportedly doubled from around 120-150 Nepalese rupees ($0.80 to $1.00) per dozen to 250-300 Nepalese rupees ($1.60 to $1.95) per dozen.
The restrictions could also affect industries that depend on mango supplies, including juice manufacturers, Gyawali said.
For India, the impact is expected to be limited yet symbolically significant. India produces about 24 million metric tons of mangoes annually, exporting only a small share. Its largest export markets include the United States, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Saudi Arabia.
While Nepal is not a major destination for Indian mangoes, the ban affects premium varieties such as Alphonso, Dasheri, Chausa, Kesar, Langra and Banganapalli.
The move comes weeks after Japan suspended imports of several Indian mango varieties for the first time in two decades, following inspections that found irregularities at treatment and production facilities.
In March, Japanese quarantine officials identified deficiencies in fumigation and disinfection procedures at facilities in Uttar Pradesh. The subsequent import suspension has added pressure on Indian exporters.
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