Four varieties of mangoes -Banarasi Langda, Chausa, Dussehri and Ramkeda- from a Varanasi orchard will hit the London market within a week, just days after consignment of the fruit was sent to Dubai.

A consignment of 1.5 tons of mangoes of the four varieties was despatched to Mango Packhouse in Rehman Kheda area of Lucknow on Sunday evening for packing before being sent to London from Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi.

Divisional commissioner Deepak Agrawal flagged off the mango-laden van for Lucknow at the perishable cargo centre in Rajatalab.

“Mangoes from Varanasi region first reached Dubai and is now being exported to London for the first time under the supervision of APEDA and state officials. The mangoes are being sent to Lucknow wher they will be packed as per European unio standards and will then be sent to IGAI Delhi for expert,” said Agrawal.

APEDA assistant general manager Dr C.B. Singh said, “We had been exploring opportunities of exporting vegetables and fruits from Varanasi and surrounding districts. Finally, we had succeeded in sending the first consignment of 3 tons mangoes, including Langda and Dussehri to Dubai on May 28. Then we got an export order of 1.5 tons mangoes to London. This consignment includes Langda, Ramkeda, Dussehri and Chausa varieties.”

“We had been continuously coordinating with National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO), mango packhouse and IGAI Airport authorities for maintaining a proper chain for exporting fresh vegetable and fruits. The efforts have started yielding results,” he added.

APEDA is also planning special training programmes for local cultivators with help of different organisations to boost exports from Varanasi region and convert it into an Agri Export Hub.