Indian mangoes on the way

India's irradiated mangoes are headed to the U.S., according to this story from the Turkish Press online, (one of my favorite sites... not so much).
From the April 26 story:

The United States is set to receive its first consignment of prized Indian mangoes in 18 years after lifting a ban, officials said Thursday.
Commerce ministry officials here said 150 boxes of the famed King Alphonso and Kessar varieties would depart by air for New York later on Thursday from the western Indian city of Mumbai.
"This weekend Indian mangoes could be on the breakfast tables of Americans who fancy the 'king of the fruits,'" a ministry official told AFP, as Indian customs said it would clear the consignment for export.
India has been pushing for years to export its mangoes to the United States since they were banned in 1989 over problems with pests such as fruit flies and weevils.
But US President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh signed a deal in New Delhi in March 2006 to promote trade in agriculture that paved the way for the mango exports.
The mango is native to India, which grows more than half the world's output but whose exports amount to just seven percent of the world mango trade.
Indian export officials say the mangoes are being irradiated in India to ensure there is no risk of introduction of plant diseases and pests.

From the March 12 Federal Register final rule that allowed imports of Indian mangoes.

Although this final rule will allow imports of all mango varieties, according to comments received on the proposed rule, producers in India are currently interested in exporting six varieties of mangoes to the United States--`Kesar,' `Alfonse,' \13\ `Banganpalli,' `Lagra,' `Dussehry,' and `Neelam'--from four States: Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh. Based on a site visit conducted by APHIS officials, we believe the majority of exports would originate from Gujarat and Maharashtra, where there are two and six production areas, respectively, producing `Kesar' and `Alfonse' varieties. Comments received on the proposed rule indicate that the harvest season in India stretches from March to July. According to the request from the Government of India, the quantity of mangoes exported to the United States would be about 100 sea containers per year.\14\ With India being the world leader in mango production, and a typical export packinghouse having a shipping capacity of 40-50 metric tons (over 88,000 lbs.) per day for 45-50 days of the harvest season, the amount imported into the United States would likely only be limited by U.S. market forces. Entry of Indian mangoes into the domestic market would provide increased variety and greater selection for consumers in the continental United States.


Here is a press release link from India confirming the first shipment.

TK: I called the New York City USDA market news office and they said the Indian mango has not appeared yet. I have a call into USDA APHIS on the facts of the story. Though I could poke fun at the majestic tone of this story - "prized Indian mangoes" and "king of fruits" - it is no small occasion when the world largest producer of mangoes begins to send irradiated fruit to the U.S. Any Fresh Talk readers handling this new deal?