Shipping crisis stalls Indian mango exports to West Asia as freight costs triple
The current situation has led to unsold inventory and limited market access in the early part of the season.
INDIA – A logistical crisis in the Strait of Hormuz has stalled Indian mango exports to West Asia, with one Ratnagiri grower holding 60,000 boxes of Alphonso mangoes valued at approximately US$42 per box in export markets.
As of March 2026, shipments to Dubai, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates have not moved due to restricted transit and higher insurance costs, leaving exporters with mounting losses.
The disruption began on March 5, when insurers restricted coverage across the Strait. War-risk premiums rose, and freight costs increased sharply. Air freight costs rose from US$3.60 per box to US$10.80 per box, while sea freight at US$0.60 per box remains largely stalled. Domestic prices are around US$18 per box, compared with US$42 in export markets.
What separates successful produce growers from those facing total loss is the ability to pivot to domestic distribution. “Knowledge, capital, and brand. That is what separates me from others. But those who only export, who have no domestic presence, or have no understanding of how to manage a crisis, are being destroyed right now,” one grower said.
Supply chain risks for West Asian mango importers are now starkly evident. India’s mango exports are concentrated in West Asian markets, making the sector highly sensitive to logistics disruptions along the Gulf corridor. The current situation has led to unsold inventory and limited market access in the early part of the season.
In addition, the peak harvest is expected in late April and early May. If transit conditions do not improve, exporters may face storage constraints as new volumes enter the market while existing stock remains unsold.
On the other hand, rising freight costs have severely eroded export margins. The export model for Alphonso mangoes depends heavily on access to West Asian markets, while many growers have limited domestic distribution channels.
As the peak harvest season approaches, the Indian mango industry stands at a crossroads and faces an urgent test of its ability to adapt, or risk widespread financial ruin. Without immediate intervention, whether through government subsidies for air freight, new trade agreements with alternative buyers, or accelerated domestic distribution, millions of dollars’ worth of premium Alphonso mangoes could go to waste.
Ultimately, the coming weeks will determine whether India’s Alphonso mango industry can adapt quickly enough to survive this shipping crisis or face a season of catastrophic losses.
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