May 29, 2026 | MSN |
India’s mango exports to Japan have been temporarily suspended after Japanese quarantine inspectors identified concerns related to pest-control compliance at a mandatory Vapour Heat Treatment (VHT) facility in Uttar Pradesh. The restriction affects mango shipments certified after March 25, 2026, and comes just as the peak export season begins.
The issue arose during Japan’s annual pre-season inspection of Indian export facilities. Inspectors reportedly found shortcomings in fumigation and sanitation procedures, although detailed technical findings have not been publicly released. Japan maintains strict biosecurity standards, particularly regarding fruit fly risks, and requires imported mangoes to undergo VHT treatment to eliminate pests without chemical use.
This is not the first disruption to India’s mango exports to Japan. Similar restrictions were imposed nearly two decades ago due to fruit fly concerns before being lifted in 2006 following improvements to inspection and treatment systems.
Although Japan is a relatively small market in volume, it is an important high-value destination for premium Indian mango varieties such as Alphonso and Kesar, which command higher prices than in many other export markets. The suspension is expected to impact exporters and growers during the current season while authorities work to address the compliance issues.
