Gandhinagar: Modern treatment boosts export of Gujarat’s Kesar mangoes

Gandhinagar: The state govt said on Sunday that modern treatment techniques like hot water treatment and hydro-cooling have boosted exports of Gujarat’s Kesar mangoes, as these methods eliminate fruit flies and diseases, extending the shelf life of the fruits.

An official statement said mangoes are exported only after being sourced from orchards certified by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and processed at recognized high-tech pack houses.

When crates of mangoes reach APEDA-registered pack houses, the first step is de-sapping. Mangoes are placed upside down on special conveyor belts or trays so that all the sap drains out completely. This helps significantly enhance the fruit’s shelf life, the statement said.

Explaining the use of modern techniques, the statement said raw mangoes are then immersed for about 10 minutes in hot water maintained at temperatures between 48°C and 52°C. Depending on export protocols, the duration and temperature may vary from country to country.

This process destroys anthracnose — a fungal disease that causes black spots and decay — along with other harmful fungi. Eggs and larvae of fruit flies hidden beneath the mango skin are also eliminated, preventing spoilage, the statement added.

Immediately after the hot water treatment, the mangoes undergo hydro-cooling. The treated fruits are placed in normal or chilled water maintained at temperatures between 10°C and 15°C for around 10 minutes, after which they are air-dried.

“When a product has genuine quality and is supported by modern technology, it gains global recognition. The Kesar mango, grown in the orchards of Gir and Kutch, has successfully evolved into an elite global brand through cold-chain technology,” the statement quoted Sameer Sapariya, who owns an APEDA-approved processing facility.