Himalayan News Service

Kolkata, May 11:

After winning hearts and palates in Singapore, Malaysia and Britain, West Bengal’s lip-smacking mangoes may become the showpiece of fruit baskets in Japan.

“For the first time last year, we tapped markets in Britain besides Singapore and Malaysia. This time we are holding talks with Japan though the country is extremely quality conscious and has several restrictions,” Nikhilendu Hazra, managing director, West Bengal State Food Processing and Horticulture Development Corporation, said today. “The three varieties of Bengal mangoes — Himsagar, Langra and Laxmanbhog — are much better in taste than Alphonso, which is the market ruler. The mangoes of Bengal’s Malda district are famous. There used to be problems with our processing, shorter shelf life of the fruit and its black spots. Now we are gearing up to remove these inadequacies,” Hazra said.

In the first week of June, the fruit’s three varieties would travel to Singapore and then Malaysia for participation in world mango festivals. “The response last year in Singapore, Malaysia and Britain was encouraging. We exported 1,000 kg each to Britain and Malaysia and 500 kg to Singapore. There is a growing demand,” Hazra said.

He said the state hopes to grow about 500,000 metric tonnes of mangoes this year. “If the order from Japan materialises, we hope to export at least 200 metric tonnes abroad this year,” Hazra said. “A new processing unit at Malda can ensure good export quality mangoes.” Mangoes are grown mainly in Malda.