In a breakthrough for the agriculture exports during the current visit of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, China has agreed to import mangoes from India, the world's largest producer, and a protocol has been signed for the purpose.

If detailed modalities are worked out with urgency, 1,000 tonnes can be exported in the current season itself, export officials said in New Delhi, adding there is no upward limit for sales in the coming years in the 'dragon market'.

"The pest related concerns of China have been adequately addressed in the mutually-agreed protocol, opening up a huge market for the Indian mangoes," Agricultural and Processed Foods Exports Development Authority sources told PTI on Wednesday.

They said mangoes will be exported from a zone free of fruit fly pests and adequate phytosanitary treatment will also be given as per the Chinese specifications.

In capturing the Chinese market, India aims to give the Philippine and Thai mangoes "a run for their money" which already have a presence in China, they added.

Sources said that the Indian mangoes would be highly competitive in the Chinese market, provided they are exported by land route, as cargoes by sea or air will jack up the freight costs.

The Indian mangoes are at present selling in West Asia at 10-12 dirhams per five kg box, where a dirham is quoted at around Rs 13.

India's mango exports have increased to an estimated over 45,000 tonnes worth Rs 1,00 crore (Rs 1 billion) in 2002-03 up from around 44,000 tonnes at Rs 81 crore (Rs 0.81 billion) in 2001-02.

According to the latest official data, April-December 2002 exports alone were Rs 80 crore (Rs 0.80 billion).