German Ambassador Philipp Ackermann celebrated the arrival of North Indian mangoes in European markets, asserting that Europeans “deserve to have good mangoes” too.
Ackermann expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I’m very excited because everybody knows how much I like mangoes.” He pointed out the current dominance of mangoes from Brazil and West Africa in European supermarkets, adding, “Europeans deserve to have good mangoes coming from South Asia, from India in particular.”
He continued, “We now have the first batch of mangoes from North India arriving in Belgium. Several varieties are coming in. It’s a very positive sign that North Indian mangoes are making their way to Europe, especially Germany.”
This initiative, in collaboration with India’s Ministry of Agriculture, aims to establish a sustainable framework for regular exports of Indian agricultural products to Germany and other European countries. Ackermann highlighted the potential for deeper economic cooperation, noting, “There is enormous potential in these agricultural collaborations.”
The introduction of various North Indian mango varieties into Belgian markets represents a significant step towards diversifying European mango imports. Ackermann expressed hope that this initiative would lead to broader agricultural collaborations and increased trade opportunities between India and Germany.
Acknowledging the predominance of mango imports from Brazil and West Africa in European supermarkets, Ambassador Ackermann emphasized the importance of diversifying the market with high-quality Indian produce. He also highlighted the cultural openness in Germany towards Indian cuisine, stressing the significance of bringing high-quality mangoes from India to Europe.
“This project with the Ministry of Agriculture highlights the vast potential India offers to the European market,” Ackermann stated. “There is a growing openness and appreciation for Indian food in Germany, and I believe it’s high time mangoes from India reach European stores.”
He underscored the collaborative effort aimed at regularizing Indian produce exports to Germany and other European nations, foreseeing substantial benefits in agricultural cooperation.