Americans turn Aamericans: Alphonso, Kesar from India fly off US supermarket shelves

From Seattle supermarkets to luxury mango subscription boxes, Indian mangoes are becoming a major summer craze in the US. The growing demand for Alphonso and Kesar mangoes from India comes even as exports remain limited and expensive.

It is Indian mango mania in the United States, with premium varieties such as Alphonso, Kesar, Langra, and Banganapalli flying off the shelves in supermarkets. The latest example of this growing craze was witnessed in a supermarket in Washington's Seattle, where freshly imported Kesar mangoes sold out within hours of arriving at major stores. The videos from the Seattle supermarkets show Americans seemingly turning into "Aamericans".

Indian mangoes in the US are sold out even before they are shipped, and a box of around 12 mangoes costs $60, according to reports.

The mango shipment from India reached the US after a year-long initiative led by the Indian Consulate General in Seattle. Prakash Gupta, Consul General of India in Seattle, even appeared on a special Fox 13 News segment dedicated to mangoes, calling the effort "mango diplomacy".

"Families bond over mangoes. That's why they are so special to us," Gupta said.

While mangoes from Mexico, which shares a long border with the US, dominate the American markets, varieties from India are seeing a rise in demand because of their juiciness and flavour.

A report by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) from May 4 revealed the craze for Indian mangoes in the US. The WSJ reported that mango boxes were being sold out in the US even before they left India. A box could cost up to $1,000.

"Preorders for this season sold out before the first mango left India in April. For the truly devoted, Sharma's company, ZZ Mango, now offers a mango season pass—a weekly box delivered to your door for the duration of the season — for those willing to fork out close to $1,000. The most surprising thing about the orders has been who's actually buying. 'Our most loyal customers are Americans,' said Sharma. Indian expats, he said, tend to complain about the price," reported The Wall Street Journal.

WHY ARE AMERICANS CRAZY FOR INDIAN MANGOES?

India is the world's largest producer of mangoes, with production crossing 25 million metric tons in 2024-25, according to Bloomberg News. Yet, the country exports barely 1% of its mango output.

One of the biggest reasons is logistics. The thin skin that gives Indian mangoes their rich flavour and aroma also makes them delicate, limiting long-distance transport. As a result, the Middle East remains India's biggest export market, while only select varieties make it to the US.

Despite these issues, Indian mangoes have carved out a loyal consumer base in America.

While the US imports most of its mangoes from Mexico due to lower prices and year-round availability, mango enthusiasts insist Indian varieties are in a completely different league.

Alphonso from Maharashtra's Ratnagiri coast, Gujarat's Kesar, north India's Chausa and Langra, and Andhra Pradesh's Banganapalli are prized for their sweetness, aroma, and seasonal exclusivity.

The premium appeal of these mangoes is reflected in their price. A box containing 10-12 mangoes now costs between $50 and $60, compared to $40-$45 last year (2024-25). Importers have linked the increase to tariff uncertainty and rising air freight costs amid disruptions caused by the Iran conflict, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Yet, even with price hikes, the demand for Indian mangoes in American supermarkets continues to shoot up, showing how these seasonal fruits have evolved from a niche import into a premium cultural phenomenon in the US.

THE BABY STEPS OF INDIAN MANGO EXPORTS TO THE US

The United States is one of the world's largest import markets for mangoes, as the US's domestic production remains negligible, and the country depends almost entirely on imports to meet demand.

According to reports, total US mango imports grew from around $719 million and 574,000 tonnes in 2020 to nearly $1.02 billion and a record 644,000 tonnes in 2025.

The overall market value of the US mangoes has surged by more than 40% since 2020.

Mexico dominates the US mango market by a huge margin, accounting for more than half of total imports and often supplying over 60% of volumes. In 2024-25, Mexican mango exports to the US were estimated at around $553 million, giving the country roughly a 54% market share. Peru emerged as the second-largest supplier with around 17% share, followed by Ecuador, Thailand, and Brazil.

Mexico’s dominance is largely due to its geographical proximity, lower transportation costs, and year-round supply chain. Peru, Brazil, and Ecuador mainly fill seasonal gaps in the American market.

Despite accounting for only a tiny share of total US mango imports, Indian mangoes have carved out a premium niche. Varieties such as Alphonso, Kesar, Langra, and Banganapalli are sold at significantly higher prices than Mexican mangoes due to their flavour, aroma, and seasonal exclusivity. Their growing popularity among the Indian diaspora and fruit enthusiasts has helped Indian mango exports to the US recover strongly after the Covid-19 disruption.

India's mango exports to the US have witnessed a remarkable recovery and steady growth over the past few years. Exports stood at 1,095.42 tonnes in 2019-20 before collapsing to just 1.45 tonnes in 2020-21, when the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted global trade, logistics, and air cargo movement. A single tonne is equal to 1000 kilograms.

However, the recovery in exports since then has been notable. Exports rose to 16.51 tonnes in 2021-22 and surged sharply to 813.5 tonnes in 2022-23. The spiking trend continued in the following years, with shipments touching 2,043.60 tonnes in 2023-24 and further increasing to 2,138 tonnes in 2024-25.

INDIAN MANGOES WERE BANNED IN THE US FOR 18 YEARS

Long before Alphonso and Kesar mangoes began reaching American supermarkets, they were effectively banned in the US for nearly two decades over phytosanitary concerns related to pests such as the mango stone weevil and fruit flies.

From 1989 to 2007, the US Department of Agriculture enforced restrictions on Indian mango imports. For years during the ban, many in the Indian diaspora could access Alphonso mangoes only through travellers who carefully packed the fruit into suitcases and sneaked them past customs officials at American airports.

The mango eventually found its way from the black market to the diplomatic table during negotiations surrounding the landmark US-India civil nuclear deal in 2006. In one of the most unusual episodes of modern diplomacy, the Alphonso mango became part of broader discussions between then US President George W Bush and former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

During Bush's visit to India in 2006, he reportedly tasted an Alphonso mango and said, "This is a hell of a fruit!"

The US and India agreed to work toward lifting the long-standing ban, paving the way for Indian mangoes to formally enter the American market again in 2007.

Nearly two decades later, mangoes continue to enjoy a symbolic role in US-India ties. The fruit has repeatedly appeared during diplomatic exchanges, including meetings between US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2024.

Yet, despite the growing demand and diplomatic goodwill, getting Indian mangoes into the US remains a difficult process. Stricter rules, limited approved facilities, high airfreight costs, and the fruit's delicate nature continue to make exports expensive and logistically challenging. That rarity, however, has only added to the premium appeal of Indian mangoes in the American market.

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