Down by 86% n RA3 certification major hurdle
the goan I network
PANAJI
Perishable exports mostly comprise of fruits and vegetables. Kaushal Khakhar from Kay Bee Exports said, “Exports of fruits and vegetables from Goa has come down because Dabolim airport doesn’t have RA3 certification”.
Since July 2014, the European Union (EU) has made it mandatory for airports in countries from where cargo is being imported in EU to have RA3 (regulated agents) certification. Apparently, Dabolim airport doesn’t have this certification.
However, if an airline carrier takes cargo from Goa to another airport like Doha in Middle-East, and if that airport has RA3 certification, then exports to EU from Goa can happen. But, in the absence of RA3 certification at Dabolim airport, perishables export can’t happen directly from Goa to the EU.
Kay Bee Exports exports okra, chillies and bottle gourd from Dabolim airport. Khakhar added, “We are a Mumbai based company. But, we grow vegetables in Satara in Maharashtra. Around 80 per cent of our exports happen from Mumbai. Until few years ago, 20 per cent of our exports were happening from Dabolim airport, which has been significantly affected as Dabolim airport doesn’t have RA3 certification”.
There are other issues affecting perishables export from Goa as well. In 2012, EU made it mandatory for each consignment of vegetables and fruits from India to have phytosanitary certificates (PSC).
