Seven premium varieties from India showcase growing export potential and consumer demand in the United States

By: Vandana Jhingan 

The vibrant flavors of India’s world-renowned mangoes took center stage in Seattle as the Consulate General of India hosted the second edition of “Mango Magic: Promotion and Tasting Event of Indian Mangoes,” bringing together leading fruit importers, retailers, policymakers, and community leaders to celebrate the growing popularity of Indian mangoes in the United States.

More than 100 participants, including senior executives from retail giant Costco, attended the event and sampled seven premium varieties of Indian mangoes now making their way into American markets. The showcase featured Alphonso and Kesar from Maharashtra, Banganpalli and Himayat from Andhra Pradesh, Langra and Dussehri from Uttar Pradesh, and Rajapuri from Gujarat, highlighting the rich diversity of India’s mango heritage.

Addressing the gathering, Denny Heck, Lieutenant Governor of Washington State, welcomed the introduction of a broader range of Indian mangoes to consumers in the Pacific Northwest and praised efforts to bring these premium fruits to major U.S. retailers. Among the distinguished guests were Washington State Senators Tina Orwall, Manka Dhingra, and Vandana Slatter, along with Consuls General from Japan and Uzbekistan.

The event builds upon efforts launched by the Consulate General of India in Seattle in July 2025 to expand market access for Indian agricultural products in the Pacific Northwest. Working closely with exporters, retailers, and trade stakeholders in both India and the United States, the Consulate has actively promoted Indian fruits, particularly mangoes, among major American retailers.

Those efforts gained momentum following discussions with Costco leadership earlier this year. In April 2026, Costco introduced Maharashtra’s Bhagwa pomegranates in select stores, followed by the arrival of Kesar mangoes in May.

The response from consumers exceeded expectations. During the third week of May, Costco imported its first shipment of Indian Kesar mangoes to stores in the Greater Seattle region, Las Vegas, New Jersey, and Greater Los Angeles. According to company representatives, the mangoes sold out within two hours of being placed on store shelves, underscoring the strong demand for authentic Indian fruit varieties among American consumers.

India remains the world’s largest producer of mangoes, cultivating more than 26 million metric tons annually across over 1,000 named varieties. Since the resumption of mango exports to the United States in 2007 following an 18-year suspension, trade has grown significantly. Indian mango exports to the U.S. reached approximately $10 million in FY 2023-24, representing a 130 percent increase over the previous fiscal year.

The broader U.S. mango market continues to expand as well. Industry projections indicate that American mango imports are expected to grow by an additional 7 percent in 2026, while the overall U.S. mango import market surpassed $1 billion in value in 2025.

The growing international recognition of Indian mangoes was also highlighted recently by Narendra Modi during his “Mann Ki Baat” address, where he celebrated India’s rich mango diversity and praised farmers for successfully bringing regional varieties from local orchards to global markets.

Hosted in partnership with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the Seattle event featured not only fresh mango tastings but also a special luncheon showcasing Indian cuisine prepared using the seven featured mango varieties.

Organizers noted that events such as Mango Magic play an important role in introducing American consumers to India’s agricultural excellence while creating new opportunities for Indian farmers and exporters. With demand continuing to rise, stakeholders believe that premium Indian mango varieties have significant potential to expand their presence in U.S. supermarkets and specialty food markets.

As Indian mangoes continue to win over American consumers, Seattle’s Mango Magic event served as both a celebration of India’s agricultural heritage and a promising sign of growing trade and cultural connections between India and the United States.