Indian mangoes make debut in Iceland as embassy and APEDA hold first-ever promotion events

India has taken a major step towards expanding its fresh fruit exports to the Nordic region with the successful organisation of the first-ever Indian Mango Promotion Events in Iceland. The initiative, led by the Embassy of India in Reykjavik in collaboration with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), was held on June 24 in Reykjavik and June 25 in Akureyri, marking the debut of a dedicated promotional campaign for Indian mangoes in the country.

The events were designed to introduce Icelandic consumers, importers and businesses to India's premium mango varieties while exploring new trade opportunities in a market that relies heavily on imported tropical fruits.

Addressing the gathering, Indian Ambassador to Iceland R. Ravindra highlighted the distinct qualities of India's internationally acclaimed mangoes and emphasised the significant scope for increasing exports to Iceland. He said India's diverse range of mango varieties, known for their flavour, aroma and quality, could cater well to the preferences of Icelandic consumers.

Sveinn K. Einarsson, Director of Trade Agreements at Iceland's Ministry for Foreign Affairs, said the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) could create fresh opportunities for expanding imports of Indian mangoes by strengthening bilateral trade and improving market access.

Adding a consumer perspective, Elínrós Líndal, food critic at Icelandic newspaper MBL, recalled her first experience of tasting Indian mangoes and welcomed the Embassy's efforts to introduce more Icelandic consumers to India's iconic fruit.

Ólafur Stephensen, Secretary General of the Icelandic Federation of Trade, noted that interest among Icelandic businesses in India has been steadily growing. He said Indian agricultural products, particularly mangoes, have strong potential to find a larger market in Iceland.

During the programme, Second Secretary at the Embassy of India, Anisha Tomar, presented an overview of India's mango industry. She highlighted that India is the world's largest producer of mangoes and outlined the Government of India's initiatives to boost exports through quality assurance, better market access and international promotional campaigns.

Both events witnessed strong participation from fruit importers, members of the diplomatic community, representatives of Icelandic businesses and officials from Iceland's Ministry for Foreign Affairs, providing an important platform for building commercial partnerships between the two countries.

Guests sampled four premium Indian mango varieties, Dasheri, Chausa, Langra and Kesar, which received an enthusiastic response for their rich taste, aroma and superior quality. The tasting sessions showcased the diversity of Indian mangoes and demonstrated their potential to compete in premium international markets.

Iceland Offers New Export Opportunity

Iceland currently imports most of its mangoes from Thailand, Brazil, Cambodia, Ghana and Peru. According to available trade data, the country imported mangoes worth approximately USD 3.3 million in 2025, with nearly USD 1 million worth sourced from Thailand alone.

Interactions with local consumers during the promotion campaign revealed a strong preference for mangoes, particularly for use in smoothies, desserts and fruit salads. The findings indicate promising opportunities for Indian exporters to establish a foothold in Iceland's growing premium fruit market.

The promotional campaign forms part of APEDA's broader strategy to diversify export destinations for Indian horticultural produce while strengthening India's agricultural trade ties with new international markets. With increasing consumer interest and supportive trade frameworks such as TEPA, Iceland is emerging as a potential destination for India's premium mango exports.