04 June 2026, Tokyo: Japan has suspended imports of fresh mangoes from India after Japanese plant quarantine officials found that export facilities designated by India failed to meet conditions agreed upon between the two countries, according to a notice issued by Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF).
The suspension affects fresh mangoes of the Alphonso, Kesar, Chausa, Banganapalli, Mallika and Langra varieties that are exported directly from India to Japan under a special import arrangement.
According to MAFF’s Plant Protection Station, fresh mangoes from India are generally classified as prohibited imports because of the risk of introducing the Oriental fruit fly species complex and the melon fly into Japan. However, imports of the six approved varieties are permitted provided they comply with phytosanitary standards and operational procedures agreed between the two countries.
In March 2026, Japanese plant quarantine officials visited India to verify whether disinfection treatments and other export-related procedures were being conducted appropriately. During the inspection, officials confirmed that facilities designated by the Indian side failed to meet the agreed conditions.
As a result, Japan requested Indian authorities to investigate the causes of the deficiencies, submit a corrective action plan and suspend exports from all approved facilities until Japanese authorities can verify that operational improvements have been implemented.
The MAFF notice does not mention pesticide residues as a reason for the suspension. Instead, it cites shortcomings in agreed disinfection and plant quarantine procedures identified during inspections in India.
Japan has also announced stricter import measures for affected shipments. Fresh mangoes covered under the special import arrangement and accompanied by phytosanitary inspection certificates issued on or after March 25, 2026, will be subject to measures requiring the destruction or return of the consignment.
The suspension will remain in place until Japan confirms that the operational issues identified during the inspection have been addressed and that the agreed export procedures are being properly followed.
The move temporarily halts India’s mango exports to one of its premium overseas markets and highlights the importance of maintaining compliance with phytosanitary protocols governing international fruit trade.
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