'No ban': Nepal denies any restrictions on Indian mango imports

After days of uncertainty over the fate of Indian mango exports, Nepal has clarified that no ban has been imposed on shipments from India and that imports are continuing in line with prescribed phytosanitary regulations.

This marks a reversal of earlier reports suggesting restrictions on Indian mangoes over pesticide residue and quarantine concerns.



The ministry of agriculture and farmers welfare, citing Nepal’s plant quarantine and pesticide management center (national plant protection organization of Nepal), said on Wednesday, “no ban has been imposed on the import of Indian mangoes.”

"Imports continue to be permitted subject to prescribed phytosanitary requirements. Import permits and release orders are being issued upon compliance with these requirements and submission of valid phytosanitary certificates issued by the Government of India," the statement said.

It also described earlier reports of a ban as 'factually incorrect and misleading'. Exports of Indian mangoes to Nepal have continued without interruption. "Since January 2026, a total of 149 consignments comprising 2005 MT of mangoes have been exported to Nepal. During June 2026 alone, 18 consignments totalling 266 MT have been exported so far," according to the statement.

Additionally, Nepal also explained that the measures were implemented following a Pest Risk Analysis (PRA), conducted in compliance with the plant quarantine and protection act of 2064.

"This Centre's attention has been drawn to news reports circulating in various media and social platforms claiming that a ban has been imposed on the import of Indian mangoes. As the National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) of Nepal, this Centre regularly conducts Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) in the course of adopting biosecurity measures in accordance with the Plant Quarantine and Protection Act, 2064, and based on this, phytosanitary measures are being adopted to prevent the entry of high-risk pests", it said, according to an ANI report.

The clarification follows an incident in which a large consignment of Indian mangoes was temporarily stopped at the Bhittamod Quarantine Check Post in Nepal's Madhes Province.

However, the shipment was subsequently released after documentation requirements were fulfilled.

"The consignment has now been released following the issuance of a plant health certificate from Indian authorities," Manish Kumar Pal, spokesperson at the Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives of Madhes Province, told PTI.

The Nepalese ministry has recently revised certain import conditions, strengthening biosecurity measures to prevent the entry of pest-infected plants. The revised import conditions ensure that consignments are free from specific high-risk pests and mandatory treatment of mangoes in water at 48°C for one hour, a standard international protocol to eliminate larvae and pathogens.

"India has conveyed its concerns regarding the introduction of new phytosanitary measures without prior consultation and is pursuing the matter through appropriate bilateral channels in accordance with the WTO SPS Agreement and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) framework," agriculture ministry said.

While locally grown Nepali mangoes are highly regarded for their quality, their production is limited to a short harvest window of around two months, making steady imports from India crucial to meeting consumer demand.

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