Japan bans Indian mango imports after 20 years, flagging lapses in pest control

Japan has halted its imports of Indian mangoes over concerns with India's pest control systems.

Japan sends quarantine officials to India before every export season. They inspect Vapour Heat Treatment (VHT) facilities which are used for exporting mangoes.

As per a report by The Economic Times, the inspections were being conducted in Uttar Pradesh's Rehmanpur, in March. The Japanese authorities found "deficiencies in fumigation and disinfection procedures" during inspection, ET reported.

Vapour Heat Treatment (VHT) is a non-chemical quarantine process that uses hot air to eliminate pests, like fruit fly. The treatment allows mangoes to pass international import regulations.

Following the inspection by their team, the Yokohama Plant Protection Association issued a notice that the import of mangoes on or after March 25, 2026 would not be accepted.

This is not the first time that Japan has halted mango imports from India.

In 1986, Japan had banned imports of mangoes over fruit fly infestation concerns. In 2006, India regained the access and resumed the imports. The ban had lasted for 20 years.

India is world's largest mango producer, growing nearly 26 million metric tons annually.

As India consumes the most of its yield, only 1 per cent of country's mango production is exported. Indian mangoes are usually exported to markets like UAE, US, UK, Kuwait, Qatar and Japan.