India to establish dedicated mango export hub at Keshod Airport

By Admin

08 Nov, 2025

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is taking a major step to strengthen India’s agricultural export infrastructure by transforming Keshod Airport in Gujarat into a dedicated cargo and export hub for the region’s world-famous Kesar mangoes. The project, scheduled for completion by mid-2027, aims to streamline export logistics, reduce transit delays, and open direct global market access for mango growers across Saurashtra.

The Need for an Export Hub in Gujarat

Despite being home to the GI-tagged Kesar mango, Gujarat’s exports have remained relatively low. Between 2019 and 2024, the state exported around 3,000 metric tonnes of mangoes, while Maharashtra shipped over 40,000 tonnes, largely because of better air connectivity through Mumbai’s airports. The 800-kilometre road journey from Saurashtra to Mumbai often causes delays and quality degradation, limiting Gujarat’s competitiveness in the global mango trade.

Keshod: The Heart of the Kesar Mango Belt

Located near Junagadh, Gir Somnath, and Amreli, Keshod sits at the core of Saurashtra’s mango-growing region. Across 11 districts, nearly 40,000 hectares are dedicated to Kesar cultivation, producing about 280,000 metric tonnes annually. However, due to the lack of export infrastructure, much of this produce is consumed domestically.

Modern Facilities to Streamline Exports

Currently, the Talala APMC provides basic export-related services such as grading, packing, and hot water treatment. But critical facilities like gamma irradiation, essential for exports to markets like the U.S. and Canada, are only available near Ahmedabad, over 300 km away.
To address this gap, AAI is exploring two operational models for Keshod:

1. Airlifting mango consignments to Mumbai for final shipment.
   
   

2. Establishing a seasonal customs clearance system directly at Keshod during the mango export season.
   
   

Infrastructure Expansion at Keshod Airport

The US$43.5 million expansion plan for Keshod Airport includes:

• A new passenger terminal with capacity for 800 travelers
  
  

• Runway extension from 1,371 metres to 2,500 metres
  
  

• A modern Air Traffic Control tower and technical block
  
  

• 83 hectares of land already acquired for the development
  
  

Once operational, this state-of-the-art cargo and export hub will revolutionize Gujarat’s mango supply chain, helping farmers and traders deliver fresh, high-quality Kesar mangoes to international markets faster and more efficiently.

A Step Toward Agricultural Empowerment

The Keshod initiative not only promises to boost Gujarat’s export potential but also represents a larger vision of empowering India’s agri-based economy. By enhancing connectivity, logistics, and infrastructure, India is paving the way for its farmers to compete globally ensuring that the sweetness of Kesar mangoes reaches every corner of the world.