Press Release

United States reinstates Haitian mango Export program

July 20, 2007

No.  2007/57

The Embassy of the United States of America in Port-au-Prince, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is pleased to announce the reinstatement of the Mango Pre-clearance Program. 

Haitian mango exports to the United States were temporarily suspended on July 2 following the discovery of fruit fly larvae during a routine inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agricultural specialists in Port Everglades, Florida.

On July 8, USDA sent a team of inspectors, including fruit fly treatment specialists, to Haiti to work with mango producers, U.S. Embassy and Haitian government officials in order to recertify pre-clearance procedures at six of the plants which operate under this program. The team worked 14-hour days for over a week to personally inspect each plant and review the treatment and compliance procedures.  Thanks to this effort, which required multiple visits to five of the plants, at least partial operations have been approved for all six plants. 

In addition to their work on the ground, the USDA team also coordinated discussions with CBP to ensure that mango shipments could begin arriving in the United States on Thursday, July 19.  The team will return next week for follow-up work as part of the United States Government’s continuing support for the pre-clearance program and commitment to assisting the mango producing sector and Government of Haiti achieve full compliance.

« The prompt resolution of this issue in less than two weeks signifies the level of our commitment to this program » said Ambassador Janet A. Sanderson.  « We know that mango exports are a critical source of revenue for the Haitian people.  Without the engagement and effort of the Government of Haiti, the mango exporters, the USDA team and our Embassy staff, we would not have been able reinstate shipments so quickly.  I thank each and every one involved for their concern and efficiency. » 

The USDA mango pre-clearance program has been in place since 1986.  Mango export sales contribute approximately 30 million US dollars to the Haitian economy every year, with nearly 500,000 Haitians deriving a significant portion of their income from mango sales. 

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