Indian Mangoes Create Buzz in the US Market This Summer
Indian Mangoes Take Center Stage in the US
Photo: @mantubasumata/X
Washington, June 10: From Seattle to Los Angeles and New Jersey to Washington DC, Indian mangoes are causing a summer buying frenzy across the United States, with shipments disappearing within hours at major retailers as demand surges for varieties like Kesar, Alphonso, and Langra.
According to India's Ambassador to the US, Vinay Kwatra, the increasing popularity of these fruits reflects both the nostalgia of the diaspora and a growing appreciation among Americans for Indian produce.
For years, Indian Americans returning from summer trips to their homeland would bring back memories of Alphonso, Kesar, Langra, and Dussehri mangoes. Today, these varieties are making their way into mainstream American grocery stores, allowing consumers thousands of miles away to enjoy a taste of India.
Kwatra remarked, "We all share a sense of diaspora, especially in the US, where summer nostalgia for mangoes is prevalent. Summer vacations remind us of the joy of indulging in this delicious fruit." He made these comments ahead of a mango festival organized by the Indian Embassy in Washington later this month.
This nostalgia is now being reflected in American supermarkets.
"We are currently experiencing a delightful situation where this nostalgia is accessible through American retailers,” he added.
The recent surge in interest for Indian mangoes was evident in Seattle, where the Consulate General of India hosted the second edition of "Mango Magic," a promotional and tasting event that attracted over 100 importers, distributors, and representatives from major retailers, including Costco.
Attendees had the opportunity to sample seven premium varieties of Indian mangoes, including Alphonso and Kesar from Maharashtra, Banganpalli and Himayat from Andhra Pradesh, Langra and Dussehri from Uttar Pradesh, and Rajapuri from Gujarat.
Washington State's Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck welcomed the introduction of a broader selection of Indian mangoes to the state. The event, which was organized in collaboration with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), was attended by state senators, diplomats, and business leaders.
In May, Costco imported its first batch of Indian Kesar mangoes to stores in Greater Seattle, Las Vegas, New Jersey, and Greater Los Angeles. Representatives from Costco reported that "all the Indian mangoes sold out within two hours of their arrival on the shelves".
This rapid sell-out has become a common topic of discussion regarding Indian mangoes.
Kwatra noted, "People have told me that when Costco first introduced mangoes, the shelves were emptied within a couple of hours due to the fruit's immense popularity."
Consumers have taken notice, with social media posts tracking the arrival of Kesar mangoes at Costco locations across California, Washington State, and New Jersey. Shoppers have been sharing photos and encouraging friends to visit stores before supplies run out. One customer described Indian Kesar mangoes as an "iconic Indian summer favorite," while others claimed that Indian mangoes are "unmatched in taste."
The ambassador emphasized that the enthusiasm for Indian mangoes extends beyond the Indian community.
"From my personal experience, the mangoes we've shared with our colleagues in the US administration and Congress have received universal praise as the most delicious mangoes they have ever tasted," he stated.
India stands as the world's largest mango producer, with annual production exceeding 26 million metric tonnes and over 1,000 named varieties. Exports of Indian mangoes to the United States, which resumed in 2007 after an 18-year hiatus, have steadily increased over the last decade.
In FY2023-24, exports of Indian mangoes to the US reached $7.36 million, up from $5.36 million in the previous fiscal year.
With the US mango import market projected to surpass $1 billion in value by 2025 and continue growing, Indian exporters are increasingly eager to introduce regional varieties to a broader American audience.