"Mangoes grown in eastern India do not have a major share in the export market unlike those grown in south or west India," said Atanu Purakayastha, Secretary, Food Processing and Horticulture Department, West Bengal.
Purakayastha urged the exporters across the country to contact the farmers of West Bengal and facilitate the export of mangoes grown in the state.
Experts also stressed on the need for the right initiatives and enterprises in the region to make sure that West Bengal contributes more to the export of this fruit.
Though the government promises to act as a catalyst and hopes to tap the European and the American markets, it has stressed on the need to motivate farmers of the state.
"There is a lack of professionalism in our state and the government can provide infrastructural aid. But the farmers too need to get motivated and help us to find scientific methods for enhancing the export ratio," said state Horticulture Minister Mohanta Chatterjee.
"We were supposed to send some products to Toronto festival but the rain spoilt our plans this year," he added.
The minister also emphasised on the need to address issues like treatment methodologies, pesticide usage, pre and post harvesting mechanisms to raise the exporting standard of West Bengal.
RK Mondal, regional in-charge, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) said: “We need to change our mode of transport and stress on exporting mangoes by sea, rather than by air to reduce the freight cost.”
Mango export this year from India is likely to cross 100,000 metric tonnes against 80,000 metric tonnes last year due to a good second crop.