Jamaica has resumed shipment of mangoes to the United Kingdom with the second shipment of some 320 boxes of St. Julian and 172 boxes of East Indian mangoes, totalling 4,710 kilogrammes, from the Plant Quarantine/Produce Inspection Export Complex at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston on April 22.
This follows a self-imposed ban on mango exports to the United Kingdom in 2014 to prevent a permanent ban on mangoes and other soft fruits as well as the deregulation of some soft fruits by the UK following its exit from the European Union (Brexit).
“This is, in fact, our second shipment for the season but, by far, our biggest shipment. The mango season has just begun and it’s already off to a great start. We are expecting to surpass our mango exports from previous years,” said Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Floyd Green, who was on hand to witness the shipment process.
The Minister had high praises for Wah Gwaan Foods for the first shipment of 13 boxes of East Indian and 74 boxes of St. Julian mangoes totalling 609 kilogrammes to the UK on April 1.
Noting that this was “a real monumental day for Jamaica’s export”, the Agriculture Minister said that this was the start of the season with exports to the United States to commence soon and was part of the Ministry’s drive to take Jamaica to the world.
The Minister commended the Plant Quarantine team for their proactive leadership in working with the mango growers across the country to reduce the incidences of fruit flies and to ensure that no fruit flies are being sent abroad.
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