New Delhi: In a major boost to fruits exports prospects, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has facilitated the export of the first trial shipment of fresh pomegranate to the US via air route.
The first export consignment of pomegranate to the US was initiated by APEDA in collaboration with the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) of India, the US’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (US-APHIS), Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB), ICAR-National Research Centre on Pomegranate, Solapur (NRC-Solapur) and others.
APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev said the increase in pomegranate exports to the US would result in higher price realisation and an increase in farmers’ income. There has been an encouraging response from the importers of the pomegranate shipment.
The trial shipment of pomegranate was carried out by the APEDA registered ‘INI Farms’, which is amongst the top exporters of fruits and vegetables from India. It has built a value chain of bananas and pomegranates by working directly with farmers.
As a part of Agrostar group, complete services from agronomy, agri-inputs and off-take are being provided to farmers with the produce exported to over 35 countries across the world.
As the long-distance market and high cost were prohibitive in commencing commercial operations, the export of the trial shipment will help in building capacities amongst Indian exporters and US importers by ensuring that quality fruits are exported.
In 2022-23, 62,280 metric tonnes of pomegranate worth $58.36 million was exported to several countries. India is the second largest producer of horticulture crops.
APEDA has chalked out strategies for country-specific export promotional programmes and organised International Buyer Seller Meets for EU countries, the Middle East and South East Asian countries to tap export potential in new markets.
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