India's Food Irradiation Struggles Despite Mango Export Potential
Why food irradiation in India faces viability test despite export promise
Business Standard
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India, the world's largest mango producer, faces challenges in food irradiation technology, which is crucial for extending shelf life and boosting exports. Despite producing 22.8 million metric tonnes of mangoes in FY2024-25, only 30,000 MT are exported annually, largely due to limited irradiation facilities and high costs.
- 01India produced 22.8 million metric tonnes of mangoes in FY2024-25 but exports only 30,000 MT annually.
- 02Food irradiation can reduce post-harvest losses but is underutilized, with only 10% of produce undergoing the process.
- 03Only four irradiation facilities in India are certified for exports, causing bottlenecks during peak seasons.
- 04A ₹1,000 crore initiative aims to establish 50 new irradiation units, but experts question their commercial viability.
- 05The demand for Indian mangoes is strong, especially in the US, yet logistical challenges remain due to limited facilities.
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India is the largest producer of mangoes globally, yielding 22.8 million metric tonnes in FY2024-25, yet exports are limited to approximately 30,000 MT annually. The food irradiation process, which extends the shelf life of perishable items by eliminating pests and pathogens, has not been widely adopted in India despite its potential to reduce post-harvest losses. Currently, only 10% of the agricultural produce undergoes irradiation, primarily mangoes and onions. There are only five certified facilities for exports, leading to bottlenecks during peak seasons. For instance, India's mango export value to the US reached $10 million in FY24, a 130% increase from the previous year, but is constrained by limited irradiation capacity. The Indian government has announced a ₹1,000 crore plan to set up 50 multi-product irradiation units under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana to boost exports. However, experts argue that simply increasing the number of plants may not resolve the underlying issues of infrastructure, farmer incentives, and market demand.
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The limited adoption of food irradiation technology affects farmers' ability to export high-quality produce, potentially leading to lower income and increased post-harvest losses.
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