India eyeing easier market access in the US for fruit, veg

India continues to face hurdles stemming from pest-risk concerns and strict inspections

- Dhirendra Kumar & Vijay C. Roy

India wants the US to open up more of its lucrative market for Indian fruit and vegetables by lowering its stringent health and safety standards, two people aware of the matter said, as officials from the two countries continued parleys on a proposed trade deal.

These restrictions, part of what are called sanitary and phytosanitary regulations, have been responsible for the US customs authorities rejecting shipments from India. These standards tend to vary vastly from country to country.

India has sought greater market access for its mangoes, pomegranate, litchi, grapes, pineapple, guava, jackfruit, drumstick, green chili, carrots, bottle gourd and ridge gourd, they said.

Despite high demand for these items, particularly among the Indian diaspora in the US, they continue to face regulatory hurdles stemming from pest-risk concerns and strict inspection protocols.

With the two teams finalizing the first tranche of a long-awaited Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), the issue has gained urgency after a shipment of 25 tonnes of Indian mangoes was rejected and destroyed in the US, causing a loss of about $500,000.