Impact of Covid-19 pandemic on Indian fruits and vegetables export, postharvest management supply chain and future strategies

India is the fruit and vegetable basket of the world. It grows a variety of fruits and vegetables and has huge production of both fruits and vegetables. Country is the second largest producer of both fruits and vegetables in the world after China. India is the largest producer of ginger and okra amongst vegetables and ranks second in production of potato, onion, cauliflower, brinjal, cabbage etc. Amongst fruits, the country ranks first in production of banana (25.7%), papaya (43.6%) and mango (40.4%). Grapes, pomegranate, mango, banana and orange account for larger portion of fruits exported from the country while onion, mixed vegetables, potato, tomato and green chillies contribute largely to the vegetable export basket. The major destinations for Indian fruits and vegetables are Bangladesh, UAE, Netherlands, Middle East countries, Nepal, Malaysia, UK and Sri Lanka. After the arrival and attack of Covid-19 pandemic in India from first week of March 2020 it has lot of negative impact in the postharvest supply chain, transportation, retail marketing and trade of fruits and vegetables. But in long term point of view we can take the lessons and strengthen our production, management as well as postharvest management practices for benefits of the fruit and vegetable growers of India.