Air India pilots’ strike hits fruit, vegetable export hard

Mumbai: It’s not only the fliers who are bearing the brunt of Air India pilot’s strike. Vegetable and fruit, especially mangoes, export is also badly hit with most of the national carrier flights being cancelled very day. The strike entered the 13th day and there is no sign of let off. “This is a crucial period for farmers who grow mangoes to earn an extra buck by exporting mango and other fruits. The on-going strike has badly affected the export activities,” said Sanjay Pansare, director of Agriculture Product Market Committee (APMC).
The other airlines are cashing in on the imbroglio and have started charging 40% to 50% extra for the cargo, leading to escalating prices of mango sent abroad.
APMC gets around 80,000 of boxes of mango every day from across the country. Out of those, around 40% are exported to the Gulf, US, Europe, German, and Toronto.
21/05/12 Sudhir Suryawanshi/Daily News & Analysis

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Categories: Air India May 2012, Foreign May 2012