Gujarat's prized Kesar mangoes are making their presence felt at London's Heathrow Airport, where the fragrance from freshly unloaded consignments fills the entire cargo area — a moment that Digvijaysinh Gohil, a mango importer based in England, says fills him with deep pride in his roots. The variety, sourced from the orchards of Gir, Junagadh, Talala, and Kutch, has steadily grown into a globally recognised brand, finding enthusiastic buyers across the US, Europe, the UAE, Australia, and the Gulf.

Why Kesar Stands Apart

Exporters and importers alike maintain that despite large-scale mango shipments from South American nations such as Brazil and Peru, neither the flavour nor the aroma of those varieties comes close to Gujarat's Kesar — widely regarded as the 'King of Mangoes'. Maharashtra's Alphonso (Hapus) variety enjoys similar esteem among the Indian diaspora abroad.

Notably, the competitive edge of Indian mangoes in international markets rests not just on taste but on the rigorous export infrastructure built around them over the past decade.

Processing and Certification Behind the Export Push

Samir Sapariya, owner of Kunj Cold Ware Solution — an Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)-accredited pack house — explained the meticulous processing involved. 'We conduct the necessary processing for mango exports right here at our pack house. We process and pack the mangoes in accordance with the specific requirements of destinations such as the US, England, the UAE, Australia, as well as various European and Gulf nations,' he said.

For shipments to the US, a specialised Hot Water Treatment process is employed, which Sapariya noted has been 'receiving an exceptionally positive response.' Consignments headed to England and Canada undergo hot water treatment followed by a controlled ripening process before packing. The pack house handles Kesar, Rajapuri, and Alphonso (Hapus) varieties. Rajapuri mangoes are sourced from Valsad.

'When a product possesses inherent quality and is backed by modern technology, it is possible to achieve global recognition and prestige,' Sapariya added.

Farmers Cutting Out the Middleman via FPOs

A structural shift is under way at the farm level. Through Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), growers are now able to export their produce directly to foreign buyers, retaining a larger share of revenues without relying on intermediaries. Farmers who organise into FPOs to streamline production and export efforts become eligible for government subsidies and other forms of institutional support.

This model is seen as a significant step in improving farm incomes while maintaining the quality standards that overseas markets demand.

Beyond Mangoes: Gujarat's Vegetable Export Plan

According to exporters, the ambition extends well beyond mangoes. A plan is reportedly in motion to introduce Gujarat's premium vegetables — including G-4 chilies, okra, bitter gourd, ridge gourd, and sponge gourd — to international markets using the same modern processing and packaging techniques. The rollout is scheduled to begin after the monsoon season this year, potentially opening a new chapter for Gujarat's agricultural export footprint.