After relishing juicy Indian mango, there is yet another good news for American consumers. They would soon get to eat the famous Muzzafarpur Litchi from the next year onwards. Talks between India and United States on to sought out safety related issues and two countries are expected to sign an agreement soon.
According to an official with Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda), the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) had expressed concern about the Sulphur Fumigation technique used for maintaining its natural colour of Litchi.
?In a recent meeting with USFDA officials, we have cleared their apprehension on the fumigation process, we hope to clear all the pending issues before starting exports in the next cropping season,? an Apeda official told FE.
Litchi mostly grown Bihar , suffers from the problem of a very short harvesting period of about 15 days in a year. Fading of the natural pink colour of the fruit fades away immediately thus forcing farmers to use sulphur fumigation for maintaining its natural colours, which attracts buyers across globe.
Sulphur fumigation after harvest or after storage of up to 10 days at 2 to 5?C causes bleaching of the peel color. However, the fumigated fruit recovers the color 3 to 5 days after being transferred to shelf life at 22?C.
?As Litchi season last for only 15 days in the month of May or June, the exports to US has to take place by July next year,? the APEDA official said. Due to higher cost in the air cargo, the Litchi would be shipped to US next year.
APEDA is looking at increasing high value exports of fruits and vegetables to United States through sending shipment through sea route.
The country is already exporting a small quantity of Litchi to Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Russia etc. In the global market, India is expected to face stiff competition from countries like Madagascar , Thailand & South Africa .
Out of total estimated production of 4 lakhs tonne of Litchi annually in the country, Bihar produces more than 60% of output. The states such as West Bengal , Uttrakhand and Jharkhand also grow litchi.
Back in 1993, the NAFED had exported 5 tones of litchi to UK . Subsequent year, 10 tone of litchi was sent to UK from Muzaffarpur. Gradually the exports have grown to around 60 tone of litchi from Muzaffarpur.
The quality of litchi exported from India is considered to be best. Although, India ?s share in world trade is less than 1%.