NEW DELHI, July 18 (Xinhua) -- In order to promote exports from north India and cut transportation cost, a trial shipment of 10 tonnes of mangoes was sent by sea from the state of Uttar Pradesh to Italy, an official statement said Thursday.
Exporting mangoes from India to Europe by sea costs 28 Indian rupees (0.41 U.S. dollar) per kg, while airfreight costs Indian 120 Indian rupees (1.74 U.S. dollars) per kg.
Chausa, a type of Indian mango, was sent on Monday from Lucknow, the capital city of Uttar Pradesh, to Italy. The total voyage time of the consignment will take approximately 20-22 days, said the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
The consignment was sent from Lucknow to Pipavav Port in the western state of Gujarat, by road through the reefer container, and will reach Italy via Spain.
The shipment was financially supported by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
The shipment is the first international "Reverse Buyer-Seller Meet" organized in Lucknow on June 26 and June 27 by the APEDA.
According to the statement, mangoes are usually exported from Uttar Pradesh by air but the cost of transportation from Lucknow to Europe is high as the availability of flights is limited.
