India to call for wider US fruit access

Indian Commerce and Industry Minister, Anand Shah is going to be talking fruit with US Trade Secretary, Michael Froman. Though the two also have other matters to discuss during their meeting in Washington, the prospects on widening access to the US of Indian fruits will certainly be up for discussion.

The export of fruit has become something of a contentious issue between the two countries, India having lowered tariffs for US agricultural products, only to discover that the move has not been reciprocated.

When then US requested lower tariffs on pistachio, for example, India responded. However, though the US gave the go ahead for Indian mangoes to enter the country as far back as 2007, so far, export has proved too costly for traders to seriously consider on any significant scale.

The mangoes must be irradiated in the US. There have been suggestions in India that the fruit be treated in India, by US hired staff to reduce processing costs by $25,000 per season.

The US has also enabled entry of Indian pomegranate, with irradiation treatment carried out in India, but trade is yet to materialise. The export of grapes is still being blocked by the US, who cite the presence of pesticides residues on the fruit for the rejection.

Source: business-standard.com