Despite lifting 18-year ban on Indian Alphonso mangoes, the "King of Fruits" is hard to find in major US cities this season and Americans are waiting for its arrival eagerly.
Indian mangoes are not seen anywhere in the ethnic stores this year. Stores are getting calls from customers almost on daily basis enquiring about its arrival, but are told it may not arrive this summer.
The ban was lifted after then US president George W Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh signed a deal in 2006 to enhance bilateral trade in agriculture.
After lifting the ban, many people have started having mango parties on weekends, just to celebrate its arrival in US after a long wait.
For the mango connoisseurs, the high price is not deterrence and is money well-spent for getting an opportunity to feast on the best mangoes in the world.
However, this year, the fruit is hard to find in major cities like, Houston, New York, California, Chicago and other cities dominated by Indian-Americans.
Indian-Americans, longing for it, are searching it everywhere, but finding only Mexican Atoulfo's.
