India holds first mango export events in Iceland, eyes $3.3 mn market
Synopsis
For the first time ever, India took its mangoes — Dasheri, Chausa, Langra, Kesar — to Iceland, targeting a $3.3 million annual import market currently led by Thailand. Backed by APEDA and the India-EFTA TEPA framework, the Reykjavik and Akureyri events signal a deliberate push to plant the Indian mango on Nordic shelves.
Key Takeaways
India held its first-ever mango promotion events in Iceland on 26 June 2025 , across Reykjavik and Akureyri .
Events were organised by the Embassy of India in Reykjavik in collaboration with APEDA .
Four varieties — Dasheri , Chausa , Langra , and Kesar — were showcased and sampled.
Iceland imported mangoes worth $3.3 million in 2025; Thailand accounted for nearly $1 million of that.
The India-EFTA TEPA was cited by Icelandic officials as a potential enabler of greater Indian mango imports.
India organised its first-ever mango promotion events in Iceland on 26 June 2025, showcasing premium varieties to importers, businesses, and diplomats in a bid to capture a share of the Nordic country's $3.3 million annual mango import market. The initiative, driven by the Embassy of India in Reykjavik in collaboration with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), marks a significant push to diversify Indian agricultural exports beyond traditional markets.
Events and Venues
The promotion events were held across two Icelandic cities — Reykjavik and Akureyri in North Iceland — and were announced by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Attendees included importers, Icelandic business representatives, diplomatic community members, and officials from Iceland's Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
Guests sampled four premium Indian mango varieties: Dasheri, Chausa, Langra, and Kesar. According to reports, the varieties received an enthusiastic response for their flavour, aroma, and quality.
What Officials Said
Indian Ambassador to Iceland R. Ravindra highlighted the unique qualities of India's globally renowned mango varieties and underscored the significant potential for increasing exports to the Icelandic market. Second Secretary Anisha Tomar noted that India is the world's largest producer of mangoes and outlined government initiatives on quality assurance, improved market access, and international outreach.
Sveinn K. Einarsson, Director of Trade Agreements at Iceland's Ministry for Foreign Affairs, said the India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) could create new opportunities for greater imports of Indian mangoes into Iceland. Ólafur Stephensen, Secretary General of the Icelandic Federation of Trade, expressed optimism about expanding imports of Indian agricultural products, particularly mangoes.
The Market Opportunity
Iceland imported mangoes worth around $3.3 million in 2025, with Thailand accounting for nearly $1 million of those shipments — underscoring the competitive landscape India must navigate. This comes amid broader efforts by New Delhi to leverage the India-EFTA TEPA, which covers Iceland alongside Switzerland, Norway, and Liechtenstein, as a gateway to European markets.
Notably, this is the first time India has conducted dedicated mango promotion activity in Iceland, signalling a more targeted geographic diversification strategy under APEDA's export outreach programme.
Broader Context
India's mango export push is part of a wider agricultural diplomacy effort that has seen APEDA organise promotional events across Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia in recent years. The Iceland events extend this outreach to the North Atlantic for the first time. With the India-EFTA TEPA framework in place, trade officials believe regulatory and tariff conditions could become more favourable for Indian agricultural products in the near term.
Point of View
000 people signals a deliberate long-tail strategy: seed awareness in niche Northern European markets before the India-EFTA TEPA lowers tariff barriers further. The real question is whether a single promotional event translates into sustained import contracts, or whether Thailand and other established suppliers retain shelf dominance. India's mango export drive has historically struggled with consistency in cold-chain logistics and phytosanitary compliance in European markets — those structural challenges, not diplomatic goodwill, will determine whether Dasheri and Kesar become regular fixtures in Reykjavik supermarkets.
NationPress
26 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did India hold mango promotion events in Iceland?
India organised the events to explore export opportunities in Iceland's mango import market, which was worth around $3.3 million in 2025. The initiative also aimed to leverage the India-EFTA TEPA framework to improve market access for Indian agricultural products.
Which Indian mango varieties were showcased in Iceland?
Four premium varieties — Dasheri, Chausa, Langra, and Kesar — were presented and sampled at the events. Attendees reportedly responded enthusiastically to their flavour, aroma, and quality.
Where were the events held in Iceland?
The mango promotion events were held in two cities: Reykjavik, the capital, and Akureyri in North Iceland. They were organised by the Embassy of India in Reykjavik in collaboration with APEDA.
What is the India-EFTA TEPA and how does it relate to mango exports?
The India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) is a trade pact covering Iceland, Switzerland, Norway, and Liechtenstein. Icelandic trade officials indicated the agreement could create new opportunities for greater imports of Indian mangoes into Iceland.
Who currently leads mango exports to Iceland?
Thailand is currently among the leading suppliers, accounting for nearly $1 million of Iceland's approximately $3.3 million in mango imports in 2025. India's promotional push aims to establish a competing presence in that market.
