New Delhi: The Centre on Wednesday dismissed reports claiming that Nepal had banned or suspended imports of Indian mangoes, saying the neighbouring country has officially clarified that no such restriction is in place.
In a statement, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare said reports suggesting a ban were “factually incorrect and misleading”.
“The Government of Nepal, through its Plant Quarantine and Pesticide Management Center (National Plant Protection Organization of Nepal), has clarified on 10th June 2026 that no ban has been imposed on the import of Indian mangoes,” the ministry said in a statement. “Imports continue to be permitted subject to prescribed phytosanitary requirements.”
The clarification comes amid concerns among exporters after Nepal’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development announced that a mango ban has been in place since April-May, suggesting Nepal had banned Indian shipments.
On Tuesday, Manish Kumar Pal, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives of Madhes Province, told The Rising Nepal that the restriction has created greater opportunities for locally produced, “healthier fruit”.
“The federal government’s decision will provide additional encouragement to local production, while citizens will have access to healthier and safer produce,” he said.
Phytosanitary requirements
The government, in the statement, said imports of Indian mangoes into Nepal continue to be allowed subject to compliance with prescribed “phytosanitary requirements” — measures designed to protect agricultural crops from pests and diseases. It added that import permits and release orders are being issued after traders submit valid certificates issued by the government and meet other regulatory conditions.
Trade in the fruit remains unaffected, the government said. Since January this year, India has exported 149 consignments of mangoes, amounting to 2,005 metric tonnes, to Nepal. In June alone, 18 consignments weighing 266 metric tonnes have already been shipped, the statement said.
While Nepal has recently revised some import conditions, including introducing a requirement for Hot Water Treatment (HWT), New Delhi said it continues to facilitate exports in line with the prescribed norms.
India also raised concerns over the introduction of new phytosanitary measures without prior consultation. The issue is being pursued through bilateral channels under the framework of the World Trade Organization’s Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures and the International Plant Protection Convention.
The ministry also urged traders and the public to rely on official notifications regarding import and export regulations and disregard unverified reports about alleged restrictions on Indian mango exports to Nepal.
Also Read: Japan says no to Indian mangoes after 20 yrs
Last month, Japan suspended imports of mango consignments carrying inspection certificates issued by India after 25 March, citing deficiencies in fumigation and related disinfection procedures observed during inspections of treatment facilities in Uttar Pradesh.
The restrictions affected popular Indian varieties including Alphonso, Kesar, Langra and Banganapalli. Japanese authorities said imports would resume once the required operational standards were met.
India’s top five mango exporters are the US, UAE, UK, the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia.