The government on Saturday said that exports of mango and pomegranate from India to the US will start from January February to boost the country's outbound shipments of agri-products.

Mango and pomegranate exports will start from January February 2022 and pomegranate ani from April 2022, the ministry said.

The commerce and industry ministry also said that exports of pomegranate aril to the US and imports of Alfalfa hay and cherries from America would also begin from April this year.

India has not exported mangoes to the US for the last two years as inspectors from American agencies, who used to visit India to certify the product, couldn't travel due to the Covid-19 pandemic. They have not visited India in the summers of 2020 and 2021.

"In pursuant to the 12th India-USA trade policy forum meeting held on November 23, 2021, the Department of Agriculture and farmer's welfare and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) have signed a framework agreement for implementing the 2 Vs 2 agri-market access issues," the ministry said. This access framework includes inspection and oversight transfer for Indian mangoes, pomegranate and pomegranate arils, and market access for US cherries and Alfalfa hay in India.

Mango and pomegranate exports will start from January February 2022 and pomegranate aril from April 2022," the ministry said.

Moreover, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has conveyed its readiness to provide market access for US pork, according to the ministry.