Indian mangoes are gaining significant traction in the United States, captivating American consumers with their diverse and premium varieties. The Consulate General of India in Seattle recently hosted a high-profile event aimed at bolstering the export potential and widespread consumption of the ‘king of fruits’ across the US Pacific Northwest region.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the second edition of the ‘Mango Magic: Promotion and Tasting Event of Indian Mangoes’ saw participation from over 100 prominent fruit importers, including senior executives from major US retail chains like Costco. Attendees had the opportunity to sample seven distinct premium Indian mango varieties, showcasing the fruit’s rich diversity and appeal.
The showcased mangoes included Alphonso and Kesar from Maharashtra, Banganapalle and Himayat from Andhra Pradesh, Langra and Dussehri from Uttar Pradesh, and Rajapuri from Gujarat. The event, a joint initiative with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), highlighted the significant export potential for these regional varieties to reach a broader international audience.
The ‘Mango Magic’ event also featured a special luncheon where Indian cuisine incorporated the seven featured mango varieties, offering attendees a culinary exploration of the fruit’s versatility. Washington State Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck, in a video message, enthusiastically endorsed the initiative, expressing his commitment to not missing the ‘opening day of mango availability’ in the future.
Bob Huskey, Vice President of fresh produce at Costco Wholesale, noted the remarkable success of Indian Kesar mangoes recently introduced by the retail giant. He stated that these mangoes were selling rapidly, exceeding supply, and expressed the company’s satisfaction in being part of the mango celebration at the Consulate.
The event was attended by several Washington State Senators, including Tina Orwell, Manka Dhingra, and Vandana Slatter, alongside Consuls General from Japan and Uzbekistan, underscoring the international interest in promoting Indian agricultural exports.
The Indian Consulate in Seattle had previously initiated the introduction of Indian mangoes in the region in July of the previous year. These efforts involved collaboration with various stakeholders in India and the Greater Seattle area, with the aim of bringing new premium Indian mango varieties to major US retailers like Costco, which is headquartered in Seattle.
A significant boost to these export efforts followed a meeting with Costco CEO Ron Vachris in April. This engagement led to the introduction of ‘Bhagwa’ variety pomegranates from Maharashtra at Costco stores, which was subsequently followed by the Kesar mangoes the following month.
In May, Costco imported its first shipment of Indian Kesar mangoes, distributing them to its extensive store network across the US. These stores included locations in Greater Seattle, Las Vegas, New Jersey, and Greater Los Angeles. Reports indicated that all Indian mangoes sold at these locations were sold out within two hours of their arrival on the shelves, a testament to the substantial demand for Indian mangoes in the US market.
India stands as the world’s largest producer of mangoes, with an annual output exceeding 26 million metric tonnes and boasting over 1,000 distinct varieties. Indian mango exports to the United States, which recommenced in 2007 after an 18-year hiatus, have experienced substantial growth. The export value reached USD 10 million in fiscal year 2023-24, marking a 130 percent increase from USD 4.36 million in fiscal year 2022-23. Projections indicate a further 7 percent growth in US mango imports by 2026, with the overall US mango import market valued at over USD 1 billion in 2025.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
