Indian mangoes showcased at Seattle event as demand for fruit grows in US

A tasting event showcasing several Indian mango varieties was held in Seattle on Thursday, bringing together fruit importers, retailers and public representatives as efforts continue to expand the presence of Indian mangoes in the US market.The event, titled 'Mango Magic', featured seven varieties of Indian mangoes, including Alphonso and Kesar from Maharashtra, Banganpalli and Himayat from Andhra Pradesh, Langra and Dussehri from Uttar Pradesh and Rajapuri from Gujarat. More than 100 importers and representatives from major US retailers, including Costco, attended the event and sampled the fruit.Among those present were Washington State Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck, state senators Tina Orwall, Manka Dhingra and Vandana Slatter, along with diplomats from Japan and Uzbekistan.The event marked the second edition of the mango promotion initiative in Seattle. Efforts to introduce Indian mangoes to the region began in July 2025 through collaboration between the Indian Consulate and stakeholders in India and the Seattle area. Organisers have sought to expand the availability of Indian fruit varieties through large retail chains, including Costco.According to organisers, these efforts gained momentum after discussions with Costco executives in April 2026. Following those talks, Bhagwa pomegranates from Maharashtra were introduced at Costco stores in the region, followed by Kesar mangoes in May.In the third week of May, Costco imported its first shipment of Kesar mangoes to stores across the Greater Seattle area, Las Vegas, New Jersey and Greater Los Angeles. Company representatives said the mangoes sold out within hours of reaching store shelves, highlighting strong consumer demand.India is the world's largest producer of mangoes, producing more than 26 million metric tonnes annually and cultivating over 1,000 named varieties. Exports of Indian mangoes to the United States have grown significantly since shipments resumed in 2007 after an 18-year suspension.According to figures cited at the event, exports were valued at around $10 million in the 2023-24 financial year, compared with $4.36 million the previous year. Meanwhile, the overall US mango import market exceeded $1 billion in value in 2025.The event was organised in partnership with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and also featured a luncheon with dishes prepared using the mango varieties on display. Organisers said that the initiative aimed to promote awareness of regional Indian mango varieties and explore export opportunities in the US Pacific Northwest.