Trend and constraints of West Bengal’s mango export: An econometric analysis

This study analyses the trend and explores the constraints behind low mango exports from West Bengal, India. Primary and secondary data were analysed using econometric methods like compound annual growth rate, stochastic frontier approach, and binary logit model. Result shows a moderate growth rate in the production of mango and slow growth rate in area coverage under mango cultivation in West Bengal. It experienced an exorbitantly high negative growth rate in mango exports during 2007-2019. The main constraint of low exports is the insufficient supply of mango in the export market, which crops up due to the yield gap and failed to overcome international sanitary and phytosanitary standards. Factors contributing to the low productivity of West Bengal’s mango were inefficiency among mango growers in orchard management and the slow replacement of traditional mango garden with high-density planting. The reasons behind the inability to overcome sanitary measures were the absence of modern cultural practices in mango orchards, traditional harvesting procedures, and a poor post-harvest handling chain. As a result, mangos come into the market without grading, with dirty skin, and with chemical contamination, which makes mango less attractive to foreign consumers. High export duty and high freight charges in West Bengal raise the domestic price of mango and lose competitiveness in the export market. A simple increase in productivity and an increase in production of mango without international standard quality may result in a price fall in the domestic market. But if production and supply chain are customised with a view to the export market, mango growers, traders and all stake holders may gain from trade from the increased production. To overcome these constraints government intervention is needed in the form of training to mango growers and traders, setting up packaging house, modern logistic management; and lowering export duty.