Seattle (United States), June 6 : The second edition of 'Mango Magic: Promotion and Tasting Event of Indian Mangoesâ?? was organised in Seattle, bringing together more than 100 leading importers of Indian fruits along with senior representatives from major US retailers, including Costco, to sample some of Indiaâ??s finest mango varieties, according to the Consulate General of India in Seattle.

The event showcased seven premium varieties of Indian mangoes, highlighting the countryâ??s rich agricultural diversity. The varieties on display included Alphonso and Kesar from Maharashtra, Banganapalli and Himayat from Andhra Pradesh, Langra and Dussehri from Uttar Pradesh, and ripe Rajapuri from Gujarat.

Addressing the gathering on Friday (local time), Denny Heck, Lieutenant Governor of Washington State, welcomed the growing presence of Indian mangoes in the US market and expressed appreciation for the introduction of a wider range of Indian varieties to consumers in Washington State, particularly through major retail chains such as Costco.

Several prominent dignitaries attended the event and sampled the featured mangoes. Among them were Washington State Senators Tina Orwell, Manka Dhingra and Vandana Slatter, along with the Consuls General of Japan and Uzbekistan. The event provided an opportunity for participants to experience the distinct flavours and characteristics of mango varieties sourced from different regions of India.

In a statement, the Consulate General of India noted that efforts to introduce Indian mangoes in the Seattle region began on July 10, 2025. Since then, the Consulate has worked closely with stakeholders in India and the Greater Seattle area to facilitate the entry of premium Indian mango varieties into major retail outlets, including Costco, which is headquartered in Seattle.

According to the Consulate, these efforts gained considerable momentum following a meeting with Costcoâ??s Chief Executive Officer in April 2026. After that engagement, Maharashtraâ??s Bhagwa variety of pomegranates was introduced at Costco stores in the region, followed by the launch of Kesar mangoes in May 2026.

The Consulate stated that in the third week of May 2026, Costco imported its first consignment of Indian Kesar mangoes to stores located across Greater Seattle, including Seattle, Kirkland, Issaquah, Woodinville, Lynnwood and Redmond. The rollout also extended to Costco outlets in Las Vegas and multiple locations in New Jersey and the Greater Los Angeles region.

Costco representatives reportedly observed that â??all the Indian mangoes were sold out from these locations within two hours of their arrival on the shelves,â?? a response that underscored the significant demand potential for Indian mangoes in the United States market.

The Consulate General further highlighted Indiaâ??s position as the worldâ??s largest producer of mangoes, with annual production exceeding 26 million metric tonnes and more than 1,000 identified varieties. It noted that exports of Indian mangoes to the United States, which resumed in 2007 after an 18-year suspension, have witnessed substantial growth in recent years.

According to the statement, the value of Indian mango exports to the US reached $10 million in the financial year 2023-24, marking an increase of nearly 130 per cent from $4.36 million recorded in FY 2022-23.

The Consulate also noted that US mango imports are projected to grow by another seven per cent in 2026, while the overall American mango import market crossed the $1 billion mark in value during 2025.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modiâ??s recent â??Mann Ki Baatâ?? address, the Consulate recalled how the Prime Minister highlighted the extraordinary diversity of Indian mangoes, ranging from Maharashtraâ??s Alphonso and Gujaratâ??s Kesar to Uttar Pradeshâ??s Dussehri and Langra, Biharâ??s Zardalu and Andhra Pradeshâ??s Banganapalli and Totapuri. He also praised Indiaâ??s mango growers for successfully taking their produce â??from the village to the global market.â??

The statement said the Seattle edition of Mango Magic further showcased the export potential of Indiaâ??s regional mango varieties and highlighted opportunities for expanding their presence among consumers across the US Pacific Northwest and other international markets.

Organised in partnership with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the event also featured a special luncheon where guests were served a range of Indian dishes prepared using the seven mango varieties showcased during the programme, offering participants a broader experience of Indiaâ??s culinary and agricultural heritage.

/IANS