Summary: The government has clarified that it has not imposed a complete ban on mango imports from India, but rather has set strict conditions to ensure biological safety. To protect domestic crops from pests and diseases, imported mangoes must be treated in hot water at 48 degrees Celsius for one hour. Due to the absence of a certification system in India to meet these requirements, mango imports have decreased drastically from 4,000 tons to approximately 400 tons in Nepal.
May 11, Kathmandu – With the arrival of the summer season, mangoes, regarded as the ‘king of fruits,’ have started appearing in Nepalese markets. Indigenous mangoes produced in various districts of the Terai region have gradually begun to capture the market. Currently, mangoes are available in Kathmandu Valley’s fruit and vegetable shops both ripe and raw.
Until last year, thousands of tons of affordable mangoes were imported from India at the start of the season, dominating the Nepalese market. However, the situation has changed somewhat. Recently, a message has been circulating widely on social media and some news outlets claiming that “the government has banned Indian mango imports!” Videos on Facebook and TikTok repeatedly show claims that “the government halted imports due to excessive pesticide residues in mangoes from the neighboring country, imposing a complete ban; consuming Indian mangoes now is equivalent to consuming poison.” Some have cited the Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Environment as the source of this ban.
This misinformation has spread beyond Nepal, with Indian media outlets also reporting that Nepal has completely banned mango imports from India. Platforms including NDTV and Times of India have released reports, videos, and audio pieces under headlines claiming “Nepal bans Indian mangoes.” NDTV even highlighted Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s role, asserting that “the Balendra Shah government has imposed the ban on Indian mangoes.” These media channels have compared the situation to Japan’s mango import restrictions, portraying Nepal as dealing a ‘second blow’ to India. Many Indian news channels’ voiceovers and graphics suggest Nepal has adversely affected Indian farmers and strained diplomatic relations.
Indian mangoes have repeatedly faced import restrictions worldwide due to quality and pest problems. For instance, in 2014, the European Union halted imports after detecting the ‘fruit fly’ pest in Indian mangoes. Similarly, Japan banned imports for nearly twenty years before easing the ban under conditions in 2006; however, imports have recently been halted again due to processing issues.
What is Nepal’s stance? The government has categorically denied the reports of a complete ban on mango imports from India. The Plant Quarantine and Pesticide Management Centre under the Ministry of Agriculture has emphasized that only stringent conditions have been enforced, aligned with international laws and Nepal’s Plant Protection Act 2007, to safeguard domestic crops.
On Wednesday, the Centre issued a statement clarifying that there is no full ban on mango imports. Senior Crop Protection Officer Prakash Paudel explained that rumors circulating in markets and media are unfounded and that mango imports continue under regulated conditions.
“There is no outright ban on mango imports; some people spread misinformation which others then follow,” Paudel said. “This is a precautionary measure for biological security, not a total prohibition.”
What are the conditions and why the increased strictness? The government has imposed strict regulations because there is no certified system in India to prove that mangoes are free from harmful pests and have undergone ‘hot water treatment.’ According to the Centre, mangoes imported from India pose risks of serious pathogens such as Bactrocera carambolae, Bactrocera caryaei, Fistulococcus pokfulamensis (soft scale insect), Cryptorhinkus frigidus, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihoteridic, Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae, Neofusicoccum mangiferai, and Colletotrichum siamense. These pathogens could cause severe damage to Nepalese mango cultivation.
“If these pests and diseases enter Nepal, our domestic mango farming could be completely devastated,” Paudel warned. “Therefore, we require proof that mangoes have been treated in water at 48 degrees Celsius for one hour before allowing their import. This is a matter of biological safety, not pesticide restrictions.”
The responsibility for food safety and quality inspection lies with the Food Technology and Quality Control Department, whereas quarantine enforces biological security measures. These regulations were enacted following a decision at the secretary level.
The new conditions have caused a significant drop in mango imports, as India lacks a system to certify treated mangoes. Consequently, traders find it difficult to comply. “We have not stopped mango imports that meet the requirements; imports are still continuing,” Paudel said. “However, since certification is not available in India, only a small portion of mangoes fulfill the conditions. Previously, 4,000 tons were imported; now only about 400 tons arrive.”
“Paying customs does not legitimize illegal mango imports; employees involved will face disciplinary action.” The Centre has warned that customs and quarantine procedures are distinct. Goods brought without completing quarantine or lacking proper clearance are illegal even if customs duties are paid.
“Importing without completing quarantine procedures or clearance and paying customs duties is entirely unlawful,” Paudel explained. “If customs clearance occurs without quarantine approval, responsible officials will be penalized.”
The tightening of import conditions and the reduced presence of Indian mangoes in markets have caused confusion among the public and media. “Only those not meeting the criteria are stopped; traders with valid permits under previous conditions still import mangoes,” Paudel said. “Permits are valid for up to three months, hence some vendors appear to be importing while others are not, creating a misconception.”
In previous years, large quantities of inexpensive Indian mangoes flooded the Nepalese market at the start of each mango season, which provided consumers with affordable fruit but impeded access for local farmers to a fair market. This year’s stricter enforcement, focused on disease and pest prevention, is expected to aid the protection of domestic mango production and help local farmers access markets.
Photo credit: Chandrabhadur Ale
