The first show-and-tell samples of Indian mangos arrived on American shores last week with goverment minister types from both countries trumpeting the landmark trade agreement. Other than this brief story on National Public Radio, that initial trickle of produce hasn’t been reported in very many national outlets.

Well mango fans, D-Day is here. Today, the first volume shipments of the most flavorfully cultivated mangos arrives in US air cargo terminals. Eager consumers can scrum for these expensive gems in specialty grocers this weekend.

The grocer I’m speaking with in Los Angeles’ Little India expects to sell his initial allotment of 50 cases quickly, even at $35 per case (12 large Alphonsos per case). In contrast, a case of Mexican Ataulfos currently sells for about $5 - 8 a case in the Los Angeles region.

One of my sources reports that the mango season in India is nearly over, so I suspect that red tape has stymied the import process for some time. That bottleneck seems to have cleared. My grocer reports, “they opened the flood gates all at once in India, as almost everyone that was in line to import will be getting it on the same day.”

Stay tuned, readers. Mango madness continues this weekend.